Thomas Daniel “Danny” Graham 1959 - 2024

GRAHAM, PARRIS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 11/17/2024 at 20:09:11

Sioux City Journal
24 August 2024

Des Moines formerly Sioux City

Thomas Daniel “Danny” Graham, 65, of Des Moines, formerly of Sioux City, passed away on July 19, 2024.

A celebration of life will be held in Sioux City on Oct. 19, exact time and location to be determined. Dan’s final wish was to donate his brain to help researchers working with The National Ataxia Foundation better understand the causes of and treatment options for SCA1.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Dan’s name to aid in the research for a treatment and cure of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1. Donations may be made online at www.giving.umn.edu/ giveto/cureataxia (please note “In Memory of Dan Graham”), or via check with “Cure Ataxia SCA1/Dan Graham” in the memo line, and mailed to: University of Minnesota Foundation, 200 Oak Street SE, Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55455.

He was born on Jan. 15, 1959 in Sioux City. Dan was preceded in death by his father George Thomas “Tom” Graham, and he is survived by his mother Diane C. Graham, who currently resides in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Dan graduated from Sioux City East High School in 1977, where he played drums in the marching band. He was employed at MCI and with Aflac. He was an Eagle Scout and he adored camping during his years in the Boy Scouts.

He was a music lover and kept a detailed list of the 45 concerts he’d attended in his lifetime, which included The Rolling Stones, the Doobie Brothers, Rush, and The Beach Boys—(all of which he’d seen four times each). Dan was a big fan of Morningside Pizza and his grandma Graham’s gingersnap cookies. Like his father, he was an avid golfer, having learned to play as a boy at the Morningside Country Club.

Toward the end of his life, Dan voiced that despite contending with Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA1) he lived a full life with fantastic kids, travel and adventure (including skydiving), and countless happy times. He especially loved to reminisce.

Dan is survived by his five children, all of whom he was tremendously proud: John Graham, Meredith Sankey (Mitchell), Robert Graham (Emily), Michael Graham and David Graham. He loved to list off their accomplishments to anyone who would listen. Dan was happy to be grandfather of Emmett, Aidan and Mia.

He was previously married to Jean Parris Harbeck. Dan also leaves behind siblings Mary Young (David) and Chris Graham (Gina), nephews Fletcher Young (Chrystie), Evan Carver, and nieces Delaney Williams (Jake), Abby Carver. Special thanks goes to the staff at Immanuel Pathways PACE program, Accura HealthCare of Ogden, and Suncrest Hospice Des Moines for their care of Dan.