Graham Kreicker Obituary

Graham Henri Kreicker was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 9, 1936, the second son of William Henri Kreicker and Dorothy Mae Hansen Kreicker.

Graham's early years were spent in a tiny house in Barrington, Illinois, which the family named "Sunny Lea". Some of his happiest childhood memories were of that home, and of attending Barrington School, where he became life-long friends with many of his classmates.

In 1948, the family relocated to Warsaw, Indiana, where Graham attended McKinley Elementary School, and both junior and senior high schools. In Warsaw, he played on the undefeated 1952 Warsaw High School Tiger Football Team, and became active in scouting. Graham loved attending Boy Scout Jamborees throughout the region. He was especially proud of attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, and of spending 36 days at Philmont Scout Ranch in 1952. He also took flying lessons at the Warsaw Airport, and flying became his life-long love. He thoroughly enjoyed keeping in touch with his high school classmates over the years.

Graham graduated from Warsaw High School in 1954. He enrolled at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio that fall, and was sworn in as a midshipman there, under the NROTC program. At Miami, he founded a popular flying club. He also served as a volunteer fireman, and worked as the assistant manager of the airport. In the summer of 1955, he was assigned to a cruiser that traveled to Spain, England, France, and Cuba, which was a great experience for him.

June 9, 1958 was a huge day for Graham. On that day, he graduated with his bachelor's degree in geography from Miami University; received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps; and married Roberta Lee "Bobbi" Ahring. Immediately following the ceremonies, the newlyweds left for Quantico, Virginia. They were later stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for Engineers School; and at the U.S. Army Intelligence School for Aerial Photo Interpretation at Ft. Holabird, Maryland. Their only child, Kimberley, was born in Baltimore on August 12, 1959.

In 1961, the family returned to Warsaw, Indiana, where Graham joined Tri-State Advertising, Inc., a regional advertising agency which had been founded by his father. Graham and Bobbi purchased a home at 1226 E. Market Street. In Warsaw, Graham became active in the Jaycees, Newcomers Club, Young Republicans, Toastmasters International, United Way, and Kiwanis. He served in the Marine Corps Reserves, stationed at Glenview Naval Air Station in Glenview, Illinois, from which he retired after 28 years as a full Colonel. Graham was also elected to the Warsaw City Council, serving two terms as Councilman-At-Large. In the 1970's, Graham became a regional director for the Youth for Understanding exchange student program. The family hosted many wonderful students from all around the world, many of whom still call him "Dad". In addition, the family became active members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

At the age of forty, Graham "retired" from Tri-State Advertising to join the founding board of directors for a five-county mental health center for the Warsaw region. The Bowen Center was dedicated by Governor Otis R. Bowen on April 28, 1978. Seeing this center become a reality was one of his greatest sources of pride.

Professionally, Graham had a successful career in advertising, marketing, and public relations. Upon retiring, he moved to Lawrence, Kansas, to be closer to his daughter and her spouse, Arla Jones. In Lawrence, Graham was active in the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Lawrence. He served as a trustee on the national board of directors for the Unitarian Universalist Association, which he greatly enjoyed. He also served on a variety of committees for social justice in Lawrence, including Justice Matters, the Living Wage Alliance, and Kansas Advocates for Better Care (KABC).

At the age of 75, Graham spent a year in Asuncion, Paraguay, where he volunteered as a teacher of English at the former Instituto Superior de Educación (ISE) - a teacher's college. He organized trips for the ISE students to visit the Chaco region of the country, and made many friends while there.

On a personal note, Graham loved to fly his 1959 Mooney, and to travel. He succeeded in fulfilling a life-long goal of visiting all 7 continents, all 50 states, and at least 85 countries over the years.

Graham is survived by his daughter Kimberley, and her spouse, Arla Jones of Lawrence; his brother Klifford and family, including his beloved nephew Kevin Kreicker, of Union, Kentucky; his sister-in-law Mazie Kreicker and family; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins around the country. He will be missed by them, and his many friends from all around the world.

In accordance with Graham's expressed wishes and family tradition, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Graham's ashes will be placed at the base of the oak tree he had planted, on the banks of the Maumee River in Foster Park, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Graham believed in serving the living. In lieu of flowers or other forms of condolence, the family invites you to honor his work and beliefs by donating an hour to helping someone in need. Thank you.