Peter Graham

April 24, 2022

Peter (Pete) Merritt Graham of Fort Collins, Colorado passed from this world on Sunday 24 April 2022 after suffering a stroke. Pete was born in West Virginia in August 1959, although he liked to say he was born in Iowa. He was named for his grandfathers, Peter and Merritt. He was 62 years old. Pete was born to Jack and Rosella and was raised in a few places, but mostly in Ventura and Ojai, California. He graduated from Ventura High School. Pete loved the Pacific Ocean and the mountains nearby. He took up surfing in his teens and twenties but by his own admission, he wasn’t as good as some of the other surfers. He worked for the US Forest Service, doing a lot of work in Rose Valley in the mountains above Ojai. As part of his job, he took meteorological measurements, which triggered a fascination with weather. Pete joined the US Air Force in March 1987. Over his nearly ten-year career in the Air Force, Pete served stateside but also in Germany, Italy and Turkey. He had a terrific experience, part of which included surgical technician training. He enjoyed serving overseas and finished his Air Force career as a non-commissioned officer. After his military service ended, Pete worked in the operating room in Ventura for a while before moving to Colorado to join his brothers in 2014. He tried a few different, “less stressful,” jobs in Fort Collins and worked almost to the end of his life. Pete enjoyed working with people; he especially enjoyed being part of a team. In Colorado Pete loved the Rocky Mountains, the Poudre River, Mishawaka, and Old Town Fort Collins. Pete was a gentle soul, with a million-dollar smile. He was a gift to his family and friends. Pete’s parents pre-deceased him. He is survived by his brother John and sister-in law Nancy, his brother Matt and sister-in-law Marianna, his nieces Laura and Hannah, his stepsister Gail, her husband Dennis and their daughters Samantha and Leigh. Most of Pete’s ashes will be placed near his father in the Ancient Cemetery in Yarmouth Port on Cape Cod, but some will be spread in the Poudre River and the Pacific Ocean off Ventura. There will be a graveside service at the Ancient Cemetery at a future date. If you asked Pete, he would probably suggest that donations be made in his name to a local cat rescue or the Humane Society.