Roger Duncan Graham

August 22, 1951 – June 27, 2023

Roger Duncan Graham, 71, passed away June 27, 2023, in Fort Worth, Tx. A Celebration of Life and visitation with the family will be at 230 Lilac Lane in Southlake, Tx, on August 18, 2023, from 6pm-late.

Born August 22, 1951, in Rotan, Fisher County, Tx, Roger was the only son to the late William (Bill) Duncan and Lewana (Rogers) Graham. He was raised 1 mile north of downtown Rotan on 3rd Street (lovingly called “Plum & Nearly” by his mother, Lewana, since it was “plum out in the country and nearly in town”). He grew up on the farm, hoeing cotton, and mowing grass, when he wasn’t biking around town with his sister, Fairy; at the local swimming pool; working at White’s Auto, or on the local golf course.

Roger graduated with honors and Valedictorian from Rotan High School in 1969, receiving a 4-year scholarship from Shell Oil to attend Texas Tech University, majoring in Petroleum Engineering. He worked in the oilfield around Levelland every summer for Shell Oil, until his graduation, Magna Cum Laude, in 1973 from Texas Tech. Shell Oil relocated him to Denver, Colorado, where he acquired his love of snow skiing, until the corporate offices were moved to Houston in 1976. After the transfer to Houston, Roger decided to fulfill his life-long dream of becoming a lawyer, so he moved back to Lubbock in 1978 to attend Texas Tech University School of Law. There he met and later married Lenore Templeton on August 7, 1980. They were both “hooded” as lawyers in 1981. Roger, again, was Magna Cum Laude. Both were hired by Oklahoma City law offices and moved to Oklahoma City, OK.

They resided in Oklahoma City for 20 years, where they were active members of the lawyering community, and then moved to Southlake, Texas, to raise their two children.

Roger enjoyed grilling, entertaining, reading, two-stepping, the oil and gas industry, the law, his family, and GOLF, among many other talents and past times. Roger unsuccessfully attempted to retire about 3 different times since 2001, but always seemed to be “pulled” back into the oil and gas/lawyering business. He continued practicing law until the end, working with his great friend Richard Asprey in insurance. He had also recently been learning ballroom dancing and had met a lovely lady, Virginia Frosch. We thank Virginia for putting a smile on his face and a spring in his dance-step the past year!

Roger leaves behind his son, Patrick, of Chicago, IL; his daughter, Nora, of Fort Worth; his sister, Fairy Graham and BIL Ricky White, of Lake Brownwood, TX; Rad and Erin Eicke, his nephew and wife of Clyde, Tx; T’Leah and Josh Jennings, his niece and husband of Snyder, Tx; two great-nephews, Braedyn Eicke of Willow Park, Tx, and Hayden Jennings of Andrews, Tx; three great-nieces, Jess Eicke of New Home, Tx, Brookelin Baker of Austin, Tx, Brady Baker of Huntsville, Tx; his ex-wife, Lenore Graham of Fort Worth, Tx; his very special friend Virginia Frosch, and many other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and countless other family and friends.

Roger was a tried and true Texas Tech Red Raider! He loved his University!

In his memory, the Roger Graham Memorial Fund has been established at Texas Tech University. This fund will provide scholarships to deserving Red Raiders. If you would like to contribute to this scholarship in honor of Roger, please click the link below.

The link will take you directly to the Office of Advancement giving website. You will enter your gift amount as well as provide your information. The family will be advised of your contribution. www.give.ttu.edu/roger-graham