Graham Anderson

Graham Anderson, age 91, passed away peacefully in his sleep Tuesday March 12, 2024. Born April 28, 1932, in Statesville, NC, he moved to Raleigh, NC in 1933, where he grew up in the heart of Raleigh near Five Points. He had many fond memories of growing up in Raleigh, including working at the Rialto movie theater, delivering newspapers, and swimming in Hayes Barton Pool. Graham’s love for swimming showed through his years as he was a member of the swim team in high school and in college, and even continued his swim career competing into his 70’s. He also worked at Camp Seagull as a lifeguard and took up the love of sailing. He later owned sail boats where his wife and two daughters would enjoy many adventures together.

Graham attended Broughton High School and graduated with the class of 1951, continuing to participate in regular class reunions throughout his life. He served in the Navy during the Korean War, where he was stationed in the Mediterranean area, falling in love with the scenery and location. After the military, he attended East Carolina College where he met his beloved wife, Dot, after catching her eye on campus and later meeting on a blind date.

After the college years, Graham and Dot married June 1, 1957, in Dot’s hometown of Dunn, NC. During their years of marriage, the two moved around following his career of managing various golf courses such, as Pine Needles in Southern Pines and The Dunes Club in Myrtle Beach. He and the family would eventually return and settle down in Raleigh, NC where he joined the family business working at the dealership of Sir Walter Chevrolet.

During retirement, Graham loved to travel with friends and family, collecting golf memorabilia, promoting his wife’s poetry, and pulling pranks on anyone that came near. He was a member of the Golf Collectable Society and Raleigh Sports Club. He also had a passion for researching Raleigh history and his family’s genealogy.

As a devout Christian, he was a longtime member of Highland United Methodist Church. He and his wife regularly enjoyed the Upper Room Adult Sunday School class.

One of the best attributes that is unanimously stated about Graham was his love for family, friends, and any stranger that was willing to stop and talk. He made friends through all walks of life where he regularly traveled with friends from High School and Southern Pines, going to Sunset Beach with family, and talking his way through international customs without proper documentation for one trip in particular.

In his final days, Graham and Dot lived at Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community where they have been loved on, and loved themselves, by all the staff and residents. All will miss his lovely whistling tunes in the hallways through the community and past homes.

Graham Anderson is survived by his wife Dorothy Anderson, his two daughters Hope Dodson (George) and Martha Simpson (John), and his two granddaughters Rachel Perry (Nicholas) and Julie Dodson. He is predeceased by his brothers Frank Anderson Jr. and Edward Anderson (Fay). He is survived by Frank Anderson Jr.’s wife, Jean.

The family held a private burial on Friday, March 15, 2024, in Historic Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community Auditorium with a reception immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Graham's memory to Highland United Methodist Church of Raleigh, or to the Springmoor Endowment Fund.

Funeral arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Raleigh. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com.