GEORGE GRAHAM 1948 - 1983 STEWARD, PILOT DEN I sure am bummed out learning of George's flight West yesterday. I just spoke with him a couple of days ago and with Steve just yesterday. George just bought a new motorcycle a few days ago... George Graham was a terrific fellow. He was very active in our pilot group and had been the Central Air Safety Chairman. He retired as a senior MD-80 Captain. A wonderful pilot, he was a pleasure to fly with. I had the privilege of going on his last flight. I flew with him in light airplanes and old war weary ferry flights as well, before and after his retirement. I will sure miss him. George came with Monarch as a Steward! He worked himself up the ranks becoming a captain on the DC-3, CV-340, 580, B-737 and the MD-80. I know Ace, Dick Cochran, and others will have some more eloquent words describing George and what he meant to Frontier. George's son, Steve, is a captain with the new Frontier. Tailwinds... -Billy Walker (5/23/00) George lived on Eudora St. in Aurora Co. He died there in his sleep two nights ago. There will be some services planned for Saturday. I am sick about not being able to attend. He was a very close friend and someone I had a lot of respect for as an aviator. I will try to send you more as I have the info. I have spoken with his daughters and his son, Steve, daily. They are still in the throws of working out the details. I have some photos of he and I flying together and will try to send those when I get back to Arizona sometime in June. George had just bought a new motorcycle a few days ago and had already put 108 miles on it. Steve took it back to the dealer. The dealer took the keys and tore up the contract and said: "Come back someday when you want one of these..." Nice fellow to do that. -Billy Walker (5/24/00) Capt. George G. Graham I have sad news to report...It was brought to my attention from a friend of mine at the new Frontier, That Captain George Graham passed away on Tuesday. Arrangements are as follows: Memorial Service and Celebration of Life & Spirit will be held Sat. May 27th 10 AM - 2 PM at the Gate House in Lafayette, Colorado. 3.5 Miles North of US 36 on Wadsworth. For directions-WWW.Lionsgatecenter.COM. This information came directly from the Rock Mountain News. I'm sure that all will agree, that anyone who ever met Capt. Graham would never forget him. He was Quite a character. His career started at Monarch, and ended some 30 years later with FAL. -Jim Baumann (5/25/00) I just hung up from a very long conversation with George's son, Steve Graham. Steve called to make me feel better about not being able to attend the services. Steve said he knew I was there albeit not physically and that George wasn't there physically either... Steve was euphoric about the services for George. It sounds like George orchestrated the whole thing from Pilots Heaven. They had a great turnout and, since it was video taped, Steve will send me a copy. Even Cecil "Fetch" Fetchner (who has been ailing) was there. They had several fly overs with lots of good ol' George stories. Many photos and good camaraderie. Even a nice letter read by one of the girls from his wife Peg! A nice poem from daughter Carrie who used to baby sit our son in the late 70's. FAL Capt and fellow QB, Dick Cochran told some stories (I really wished I coulda been there to hear those!). They had a beautiful weather day for it and the catering was terrific too. Steve is having some of George's ashes put in small containers to send to friends around the country to put where the friends think George would have liked it. Then they are to take a photograph of the place and send to Steve for the log book they are making. The majority of his ashes are in a nice leather case with George's flight bag tag on it and it will travel the country with the kids on a Year 2000 tour. George would have to be so proud of all this. I know how proud he was of his kids. He was a great father, great friend, and superb pilot. Tailwinds, George! -Billy Walker (5/29/00) This was the short write-up in the Rocky Mt. News from Saturday 5/27. GEORGE G. GRAHAM, 76 Denver died May 22 . Services were May 27. Capt. Graham was born in San Francisco on Aug 8 1923. He married Peg Graham. He was a Navy radio operator during WWII. He was a pilot with Frontier Airlines. Survivors include his wife; daughters Debbie, Carolyn, Laurie, Tami and Nanci; son Steve; two grandchildren. -Jim Baumann An Obit way too short for such a diverse gentleman. (5/31/00) Ace Avakian told me that George died in his sleep the Monday night before he was to receive a pacemaker implant. He remarked also that if this is the way he had to go, it probably was the best way, (if any way is). -Clyde Hart (6/9/00) I Remember When By Duane Phelps 1949-1985 (36 years) Hired 6/49 Stn. Agt. Alamosa for $150 per mo.,6 day wk,8 hr. shifts. Capt. Geo. Meshko flew me to Pueblo in an open cockpit PT-19 to Watch the Blue Angels in prop F8 aircraft. (Better than Jets) Capt. Army Armstrong arrived early came into the Stn. Tuned the radio To HF Freq. Had me listen to an ATC Clearance, and told me I had better Be able to recite a clearance the next time he came thru. Rode observer with George Graham and Glen Gettman Practicing under hood at Stapleton, both became Capts. On my second FIt. I went to the cockpit and asked if it was true that the Pilots and stews sometimes shared the same bed and was told of course, That CO and TW stews were even waiting in their rooms on layover in ABQ. It took me a little while to realize how my leg had been pulled by the best ewo pullers on the airline, Art Ashworth and Ace Avakian. -Duane Phelps (2/6/06) FRONTIER'S 'FLYING CROSS' LANDS AS A PLEASANT MEMORY Published on May 7, 1995. A retired Frontier Airlines pilot, Capt. George Graham of Denver, wrote us after we ran a brief April 9 on the famous "flying cross," which was flown over Denver by Frontier during the Christmas season in the 1940s and '50s. "I flew for Frontier Airlines for 35 years," his letter begins. "I started as a steward for Monarch Airlines in April of 1948. There were about 12 of us at the time, and Alverta Wilson was a sort of... 874 words, Rocky Mountain News (CO) -docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/RM/lib00244,0EB4E2BC2D574393.html May 7, 1995 - "I flew for Frontier Airlines for 35 years," his letter begins. "I started as a steward for Monarch Airlines in April of 1948. ... ''I was put on as a co-pilot in June of 1950, when Frontier was born as a result of the merger of Monarch, Challenger and Arizona Airways. ... From FRONTIER'S 'FLYING CROSS' LANDS AS A PLEASANT... -docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/RM/lib00244,0EB4E2BC2D574393.html Couldn't get the rest of the articles. -Jake Lamkins (5/20/09) G G GRAHAM Pilot seniority date of 6/27/50, #6, on the 9/1/81 FL/ALPA seniority list. He is not on the 9/1/85 list. The May 1995 articles above say he started as a steward in April 1948 and became a co-pilot in June 1950. He turned 60 in 1983 and retired according to Tex Searle's book. -Jake Lamkins (7/7/09)