On August 2, 2024, our beloved Dad, Thomas “Tom” Reid Graham passed away at home just shy of his 93 birthday. Tom was born in Portland, Oregon on September 14, 1931. The Grahams moved to Empire, Oregon when Tom was young.
Tom told many stories about his days as a “dirty little Empire boy.” He and his pals would swim at Chickses Creek Falls, or float the bay to the North Spit to play in the dunes. Tom attended Empire Grade School and enjoyed many reunions with classmates.
Also, as a young boy, Tom built a shed (club house) from discarded materials. He later continued building several homes and many woodworking projects. Tom’s building interests were shared with his son and grandsons who all became professional contractors.
Tom briefly left Empire to live in Portland with his grandmother and graduated Woodstock Elementary School. Returning to North Bend, Tom met his forever love, (TGWB) Wanda “Kotch” Boynton, at the Liberty Theater. She caught his eye while selling popcorn at the concession stand.
They were inseparable and graduated North Bend High School, class of 1949. As a Bulldog, Tom participated in sports and held the bamboo pole vault record for many years. Tom and Kotch married November 25, 1949 and celebrated 73 years together before Kotch’s passing January 18, 2023.
As newlyweds, the Grahams lived in Alleghany, Oregon where Tom worked for Weyerhaeuser Corporation. Helping to construct Kelly Lookout was one of his proudest accomplishments. His son Scott and daughter Terri were born during those years.
In 1955, the family moved to North Bend and Tom became a paid fireman for North Bend Fire Department. Tom was an adept “shade tree mechanic,” always tinkering on cars. Becoming a self-employed owner of a Richfield gas station was a natural fit.
His next employment opportunity was manager of Empire Fuel Company. Tom’s final career move was manager of Coos Head Builders Supply. Tom participated in the community in many capacities.
He was on the North Bend City Council for 16 years, a volunteer fire captain, Rotary Club, Security Bank board member, NBHS Quarterback Club and was elected to NBHS Hall of Fame. He became Master of the North Bend Masonic Lodge No. 148 (a calling of his Scottish father’s heritage).
Tom had a beautiful tenor voice and sang with the Gold Coast Chorus, with the Sea Clefs Barbershop quartet, and in Little Theater on the Bay productions of South Pacific, The King and I (with Kotch) and in the quartet for The Music Man. Music was always present in the home. In the 1960’s, Tom’s family was one of the few to have a sand buggy.
Days were spent roaming and camping the dunes between Hauser and the North Jetty. Encounters with other people were rare in those days. As the center of his family, Tom was loved very much and will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother David Graham, and wife Wanda Graham. Tom is survived by son Scott ( Jackie ) Graham; daughter Terri ( Jim ) Fox; grandsons Mike ( Tanya ) Graham and Jim Graham; granddaughter Cami ( Ryan ) Henderson; great-grandsons Jackson and Jace Henderson; sister Kathy ( Terry ) Weisner; sister-in-law Sunny Graham; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Tom’s family is grateful for caregiver Cindy’s years of love and care as well as caregiver Suzi’s brief care.
Donations in Tom’s memory may be made to South Coast Hospice, 1620 Thompson Road, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420; Liberty Theater, PO Box 404, North Bend, Oregon 97459; and North Bend Volunteer Fire Department, 1880 McPherson Avenue, North Bend, Oregon 97459. Friends and family are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at and . Arrangements are under the care of North Bend Chapel, 541-756-0440.
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