Visitation: Friday, January 15, 2021
Visitation Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Visitation Location: National Tabernacle Church of the Living God
1100 Bethune Drive
Orlando, Florida
Service Date: Saturday, January 16, 2021
Service Time: 1:00 PM
Service Location: National Tabernacle Church of the Living God
1100 Bethune Drive
Orlando, Florida
Obituary:
Minister La-Gogewick “Major” Graham, 66, of Orlando, fell asleep and entered eternal rest on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. Major Graham was born on January 27, 1954 to Eliza and Wilbert Graham in Fort Bragg, NC. He was a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University. While in college, he became a proud member of the Beta Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He later enlisted in the United States Air Force and retired as an Intelligence Officer. After his discharge from active duty, he became the ROTC Instructor at Oak Ridge High School where he remained until he retired in 2018. Major Graham served the Lord with all his heart as a Minister and faithful member of National Tabernacle Church of the Living God, Orlando. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Minister “Major” Graham is survived by his beloved wife, Eleanore; three daughters, Jeneen A. Graham, Janelle (Brian) Brice, Kayla Graham; son, La-Goge D. Graham; 3 grandchildren; sisters, Theresa (Walter) Jackson, Carolyn D. Parker; brothers, Wilbert Graham, Jr., Delton (Sonya) Graham, Santoni (Pauline) Graham; and a host of other relatives and many friends.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 15, 2021 from 4-6PM at the church. A service of celebration will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2021, 1:00 PM at National Tabernacle Church of the Living God, 1100 Bethune Drive, Orlando with Apostle Dr. Carlton Williams, Presiding Prelate of the Florida Gulf Dioceses, Pastor of National Tabernacle COTLG, officiating. Interment: All Faiths Memorial Park, Casselberry.
29 Comments
Major Graham you will be missed dearly. It hurts so much knowing you are gone. I wanted to thank you for coming into my life. I will cherish all the memories that I have of you. I will always remember your infectious smile, your strong “Zeus-like” voice & how truly caring you were. You have changed so many lives in such a positive way. You were more than my favorite teacher; you were a true friend. I pray you are in peace & looking down on all of us. I promise you are too great of a person to ever be forgotten. May your memory always live on our Magnificent Major Graham.
I will miss Goge. We had our time together as we grew up on Lisa (1st street) and played in a Band call The Hip City Jrs. We had a bunch of good time and great memories. My condolences to His Family.
Major Graham you will be missed and never forgotten. You weren’t just a teacher but a friend and someone that I admired. When I got into ROTC I couldn’t get away with anything because you all knew my cousin. You had an infectious laugh and gave great advice that I still go by today. I know that you are at peace and looking down on everyone that you made a difference in their lives and your family. To keep us safe. The world needs more people like you. I’m sending prayers and hugs to the family.
I had the honor and privilege of serving with Maj “Go” Graham and we became friends while assigned to HQ AETC at Randolph AFB Tx. We worked together on many projects and what I remember most was his infectious laugh and sense of humor. We worked hard but he always made it fun and our friendship grew. We reconnected a few years ago via social media and often shared thoughts on our blessings and how good God has been to us. He was a true servant I know he is heaven sharing a laugh with Jesus now. Go positively touched many lives during his AF career and AFROTC duty and he will be missed. My deepest condolences to Eleanor and the rest of the Family. May God Bless, Keep, and Console you during this time.
Of the alumus from the neighborhood we were raised, la Goge and Thomas Lemon would consistently reach out to me.. Now la Goge is gone. When Thomas Lemon sent a message to me, it gave me a wake up. He said really prayed for la Goge. And I did and shared the need with friends who will pray that la Goge will recover. He didn’t. I am affectionately of la Goge and Thomas. What a loss😟😟
Major Graham! It was a pleasure knowing you. Just want to specifically thank you for your help when I started teaching JROTC. I got my feet wet then and 16 years later I’m being labeled an ole pro, thanks to you! Although, your physical journey has ended, your spiritual journey and those you’ve touched through the years continue. Godspeed!
Victory! (Part 1) Psalms 133 – “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”
I greet you with sadness and joy. On January 5, 2021, Line Brother (LB) #4, La Goge Graham was called from his earthly labor to his heavenly reward. Our Brother is free to go home and be with the Lord for eternity. When my three other LBs (#1 – Joseph Windley, #2 – Milton Siler and #3 – Leroy Hartsfield) got together last week, we shared our thoughts and reflections, but mostly we thanked God for the 46 years, 8 months and 5 earthly days we shared as LBs in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. with La Goge.
Victory (Part2) We are especially grateful for the decision we made in March of last year to stop our lives and make the journey to visit La Goge in Orlando, FL, because we are our Brother’s Keeper. La Goge graduated in 1976 with a B.S. in Business Administration from North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC. He retired from the US Air Force with rank of Major and retired again as a AFJROTC Commander. He was also a minister for the Lord, and he knew who was fighting his battle.
Victory! (Part 3) Brother La Goge Graham loved his wife Eleanore (Pi) and family. He served our nation with honor and courage. He served mankind well. He left this world in victory today! His Soul is Anchored in the Lord! https://youtu.be/RHba5GOxNM0 (He loved this song)
(Victory! (Part 4) We will always honor and remember the life of our Line Brother #4, La Goge Graham. He always made us laugh and his spirit will continue to abide in us. We will miss him, but we will laugh and be joyful!
“Farewell, dear brother, transcendent are thou
Thy spirit shall dwell with us now.
We cherish thy mem’ry, thy good name we’ll revere
To thy glory, thy honor, BROTHER, dear.”
(Victory! (Part 4) We will always honor and remember the life of our Line Brother #4, La Goge Graham. He always made us laugh and his spirit will continue to abide in us. We will miss him, but we will laugh and be joyful!
Victory! (Part 5)
“Farewell, dear brother, transcendent are thou
Thy spirit shall dwell with us now.
We cherish thy mem’ry, thy good name we’ll revere
To thy glory, thy honor, BROTHER, dear.”
Victory! (Part 6)
Fraternally Submitted in “Victory” on behalf of
“The Laugh House Gang”
Beta Epsilon Chapter, Spring 1974,
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
LB #5 Chuck Coffin
P.S. If you choose to respond with a comment, request you start it with the word “Victory!”, to honor La Goge. God is in control!
You would be dearly missed. I learned so much from you and I am eternally grateful to have been your student for 4 years. May you Rest in eternal peace
LaGoge Graham was a true friend. He had your back. You could count on him when a friend wouldn’t call 911. He was even keeled and guided a Grievance Committee for years. His devotion to service was amazing. He also was protective and made sure he let you know when you screwed up. But the best part was the laughing and joking. He loved to make people laugh and you returned the favor. He will be missed but I know he is home. He will watch over all of his cadets from above and we will hear his words over and over. as we continue his legacy. RIP.
I am so glad God gave me the opportunity to cross paths with one of His most thoughtful, caring, aspiring, courageous angels God placed on this Earth. Your family is forever in my prayers until we meet again.
Shanice Teal
HM1 (SW)
US Navy Hospital Corpsman
My sincere condolences to Eleanor and the entire Graham Family. It brought tears to my eyes to hear Lagoge had passed. We first met and became close friends in the fall of 1972 in our Air Force ROTC Class at N.C. A & T, I was from Dunn, N.C, just 30 miles from his hometown. Over the last 48 years we have always continued to call and talk about many things in life, about once a month, to include trading stocks and foreign currencies. Again, it brings tears to my eyes realizing he has transitioned on into another life. But I can still smile because I know we will meet again in heaven one day. Rest in peace my very good Alpha Phi Alpha and Air Force friend.
I first met La Goge in July of 1980 when I was reassigned to Osan Air Base, Republic of South Korea. La Goge worked for the wing commander who was a two-star. When we left Osan AB, La Goge and I were both assigned to Offutt AFB, Nebraska and when we left Offutt AFB, we were both assigned to bases in San Antonio, Texas. Through 40 years of friendship we have stayed in touch and he has always been a friend who was fun to be around and had an ever present smile. La Goge touched the lives of a lot of people in a positive way and he will be missed.
Mrs. Graham and family, as some people journey through life, they leave footprints of kindness and love, ..courage and compassion, joy and faith. Although Brother Graham has transitioned to his NEW HOME, the trail he left behind will continue to inspire us. A good Brother and Alpha Man. I pray God will comfort and care for you all while you celebrate Brother Graham’s legacy which lives on.
My friend; neighbor; road dog across Europe and dear husband and Dad. Our friendship started in Germany when we lived in the same building…our children and spouses became one huge family. Travels across Germany…the wives going to Paris every other weekend…Easter taking that trip to Italy…the train ride…the Italian highway…never to be forgotten…even when we narrowly escaped the Ramstein Airshow disaster…so many memories. Now, my friend…you’re with the ancestors. Love you always “Go” 💔🙏🏾
To the family my prayer’s are with you all . LINDA, DONNA, TONY, CARLOS, TARVARIS.
In his last years it became evident that LaGoge desired to leave an even greater legacy. He began to share the good news of Jesus Christ crucified, buried, and resurrected through his social media posts. LaGoge ran his race. He finished his course. Now he has entered into the joy of the Lord. Praise the name of Jesus! My family, my sister Adrienne “AA” (Halback) Thorpe and her family, and my father, SGM(Retired) Dan Halback, Sr., extend our deepest condolences to the Graham family. Rest in Peace LaGoge.
To Mrs Graham I say a job well done. I pray with you as you say Goodbye, see you later. God Bless You and Keep you. We find strength.
Your Sister of DST
Margaret Hill
My Big Cousin,
You will never know how much you inspired me, from attending college at A&T to joining the military. I remember as a young boy growing up, I would always be so happy to visit you and the entire Graham family.. My last visit to Orlando, you had dinner with me and my family. You were so joyful as you talked about the Lord and your Church. You encouraged my teenage boys and challenged them to do well in school.. You will be missed “R.I.P Big Cuz.”
Major, It is hard to say goodbye. I’m still processing everything. Thank you for chewing me out for not living up to my potential. My graduating class we were knuckle heads but you helped us to strive better. Thank you Major! You will be missed but I know we will meet up in the eternity praising our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I too was heart stricken with sorry when I heard of my friend, La Goge passing. I think he’s alright right now because he was a good man. And as I remembered when we use to talked in Korea, I felt the peace and calmness within him; he was always positive and upbeat. Furthermore, he was influential in getting us to spend some quiet time with God because it was him who persuaded us to attend the Wednesday night Bible Study in Korea. I have grown spiritually enough to know that when good people leave us I turn to: Matthews 25:23…”His master replied, well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your Master! I think God called La Goge as he will call us for the work we do for him. I think La Goge did a good job!
Mrs. Graham and family, I am sorry for your loss and I have also lost a great buddy. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
R.I.H. It was a pleasure working with you, you will be missed.🙏🏽
Major Graham You will be missed by so many😞 I will always remember your smile and how you took so much time with all your ROTC young people 😔Thank you for the attention and love you gave them and my Grandson🙏🏻 Rest In Peace 🙏🏻
We are saddened to hear about the passing of “Go”. I used to coach Donovan in T-ball in San Antonio and my wife Diana worked with Eleanor as a teacher. We remember the whole family as such quality people. We would love to speak with someone from the family. (210) 837-2714.
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