Garnet S. Graham

Garnet S. Graham, 94, died peacefully on Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, at Cumberland Crossing Retirement Community.

Born March 29, 1917, in Carlisle, he was the son of Blanche C. and Claude R. Graham.

He was a graduate of Carlisle High School, the Central Penn Business College, the Carlisle Commercial College and the American Institute of Banking. Garnet started his career at the Carlisle Deposit Bank and Trust Company. In 1950, he became employed by AMP, Inc., Harrisburg, where he worked in the Financial Division, specializing in credit and financial management. He retired from AMP in April 1982.

Garnet is a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946.

A lifetime member of Allison United Methodist Church, Carlisle, Garnet also served as the financial secretary for eight years and as church treasurer for 33 years.

Along with his wife, Rita, Garnet was dedicated to their daughter, Carol, who had Down syndrome. Carol lived with her parents for 65 years, until her passing in 2006.

At the time of her birth in 1941, there were no services or agencies available to children with special needs. Garnet and Rita, along with several other persons in the area, formed the Cumberland County Association for Retarded Children, which is now known as CPARC. Garnet served on the board of directors, was president for two years, secretary for two years and treasurer for 10 years.

Garnet was actively involved in the Carlisle American Little League program. He served as a team manager for 20 years and as a member of the board of directors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Surviving are his daughter, Sue G. Lee (and her husband, Patrick) of Carlisle; two sons, Jeffrey A. Graham (and his wife, Charlene S.) of Hummelstown and Douglas S. Graham (and his wife, Carol F. Weishaar) of Carlisle; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rita J. Graham; a son, Philip A. Graham; a daughter, Carol A. Graham; and two sisters, Ruby G. Primus and Carol G. Lego.

A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, at Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 219 N. Hanover St., Carlisle.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, at Allison United Methodist Church, 99 Mooreland Ave., Carlisle. A brief visitation will be held prior to the service at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to CPARC or to Allison United Methodist Church.