Jan. 14, 1948 ~ Oct. 17, 2016
Stephen “Steve” Allan Graf, age 68, died Monday October 17th at the VA Hospital in Reno, Nevada, after a long battle with Renal Failure.
Stephen was born on January 14, 1948 at Hamilton Field, Station Hospital in California. He graduated from Wheatland High School in 1967, and went to Yuba Junior College before joining the Air Force.
Stephen joined the U.S. Air Force in 1970 and trained as a Fuel Specialist in Chanute AFB, IL. He was an Honor Graduate upon completion of training and immediately deployed to Vietnam.
After returning from Vietnam, he moved to RAF Mildenhall and met his wife, Linda. They were married in November 1973. In 1974, Stephen retrained as an Aerospace Control and Warning Systems Operator at Keesler AFB, MS. Upon completion of training as an Honor Graduate, Stephen and his family moved to Tinker AFB, OK. Over his 21 years in the U.S. Air Force, Stephen worked and lived in Vietnam, Alaska, Arizona, Washington, Germany, and Oklahoma. Stephen received four Air Force Commendation medals, two Air Force Achievement medals, one Joint Service Achievement medal, five Air Force Good Conduct medals, one Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal, one Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm medal, six
Outstanding Unit awards, one Joint Meritorious Unit award, one Air Force Organizational Excellence award, and the Presidential Unit Citation. Upon his retirement from the U.S. Air Force in 1991, Stephen and his wife lived in Moore, OK, until they moved to Fallon, NV, in 1994. From 1994 to 2009, Stephen worked as an Electronic Warfare Operator and Range Control Officer at Naval Air Station Fallon. In December 2009, he retired from Navel Strike and Air
Warfare center and lived out the rest of his life traveling, spending quality time with family, rebuilding his classic truck and loving life to the fullest.
Mr. Graf, was preceded in death by his father William H. Graf and sister Gay Lynn White.
Mr. Graf is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lilian L. J. Graf of Fallon NV. Two children: Son, Steven P. Graf of Fallon, NV, and daughter and son-in-law, Sherry L. and Donald H. Odom of Anchorage, AK. He also leaves behind three Grandchildren, Mackenzie M. J. Odom, Meredith R.H. Odom and Isabella L. J. Odom. He is also survived by his mother, Anita J. Graf of Fallon, NV, his brother William R. Graf of Portland, OR, and his sister and brother-in-law, Sherry L.
and Richard L. Funseth of Fallon, NV.
Stephen was a loving husband, amazing dad and grandpa, great son and wonderful brother and uncle. He was loved by everyone and will be missed every day.
A Celebration of Life was held Sunday, October 23rd at his family home, and was open to family and friends of Stephen.
Monday, October 24th a military graveside service was held at The Gardens Funeral Home in Fallon, NV.
