James F. Graham

James F. Graham, 63, of Davenport, Iowa, retired general manager of KWQC TV6 in Davenport, died unexpectedly Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at Genesis Medical Center – East Campus in Davenport. Jim was born in 1946 in Wichita, Kansas to Robert Neil and Mary Louise Graham. He married Eloise Warner on August 7, 1965 in Ottawa, Kansas. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1968 with a degree in Journalism. Jim began his media career in Flint, Michigan where he started in radio and then moved into television. His career took him and his family to Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Virginia, Wausau, Wisconsin, and Buffalo, New York. Jim and Eloise moved to the Quad Cities when he was named the General Manager of KWQC-TV6 in Davenport in1996. While serving in that capacity, Jim became involved with countless charitable agencies and community service groups. He served as president of the Rotary Club of Davenport, campaign chair of the United Way of the Quad Cities, and served on the boards of the American Heart Association, Alternatives for the Older Adult, Boy Scouts of America, CASI, Hilltop Association, Naibi Zoo, Quad City Arts, Quad Cities Ballet, Quad City Development Group, Quad City Grad Center, Quad City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Quad City Marathon, and Student Hunger Drive. After retiring from KWQC in 2007, Jim and Eloise remained very active in the community, volunteering for numerous organizations. They also acquired the local monthly news publication, 50+ Lifestyles. They had just sent the August issue off to press hours before Jim’s death on Wednesday. Jim had a lifelong interest in scouting. He was an eagle scout and served as cubmaster and scoutmaster for his son’s troop, and he and Eloise were involved in advanced training of other scout leaders for many years where he earned the silver beaver and was a course director for woodbadge. Jim loved boating, bowling, hunting in Wisconsin and just about any other excuse for spending time with his family and friends. Survivors include his wife, Eloise; son, James Neil (Theresa) Graham of Madison, WI; daughters, Jane Elizabeth Graham (Chris) Jennings of Stevens Point, WI, and Jennifer Louise (Eric) Kohel of Weston, WI; grandchildren, Jameson “Zeno” and Evelyn “Ev” Graham, and Kaylie, Jordyn and Ian Kohel; his mother, Mary Graham, Ottawa, Kansas; sisters, Edna Graham of Topeka, KS, and Mary (Lynn) Fisher of Overland Park, KS; a sister in law, Kay Graham Scott and her husband, Randall, of Topeka,Kansas; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. Jim was preceded in death by his father and his brother, Richard. Services in celebration of his life will be held at 10 AM Monday, August 3rd at Centennial Hall on the campus of Augustana College in Rock Island. Visitation will be held Sunday, from 1-5pm at Weerts Funeral Home, Kimberly at Jersey Ridge Road, Davenport. Graveside Services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2009 at Woodlawn Cemetery Pomona, Kansas. Dengel & Son Mortuary will assist with the burial. Memorials in his honor may be made to Illowa Council Boy Scouts of America, The Women’s Community Inc. of Wausau, The United Way, Center for Active Seniors, Inc., Alternatives for the Older Adult, or to your favorite charity.