GEORGE GRAHAM 1948 - 1983 STEWARD, PILOT PHX DEN I sure am bummed out learning of George's flight West yesterday. I just spoke with him a couple of days ago and with Steve just yesterday. George just bought a new motorcycle a few days ago... George Graham was a terrific fellow. He was very active in our pilot group and had been the Central Air Safety Chairman. He retired as a senior MD-80 Captain. A wonderful pilot, he was a pleasure to fly with. I had the privilege of going on his last flight. I flew with him in light airplanes and old war weary ferry flights as well, before and after his retirement. I will sure miss him. George came with Monarch as a Steward! He worked himself up the ranks becoming a captain on the DC-3, CV-340, 580, B-737 and the MD-80. I know Ace, Dick Cochran, and others will have some more eloquent words describing George and what he meant to Frontier. George's son, Steve, is a captain with the new Frontier. Tailwinds... -Billy Walker (5/23/00) George lived on Eudora St. in Aurora Co. He died there in his sleep two nights ago. There will be some services planned for Saturday. I am sick about not being able to attend. He was a very close friend and someone I had a lot of respect for as an aviator. I will try to send you more as I have the info. I have spoken with his daughters and his son, Steve, daily. They are still in the throws of working out the details. I have some photos of he and I flying together and will try to send those when I get back to Arizona sometime in June. George had just bought a new motorcycle a few days ago and had already put 108 miles on it. Steve took it back to the dealer. The dealer took the keys and tore up the contract and said: "Come back someday when you want one of these..." Nice fellow to do that. -Billy Walker (5/24/00) Capt. George G. Graham I have sad news to report...It was brought to my attention from a friend of mine at the new Frontier, That Captain George Graham passed away on Tuesday. Arrangements are as follows: Memorial Service and Celebration of Life & Spirit will be held Sat. May 27th 10 AM - 2 PM at the Gate House in Lafayette, Colorado. 3.5 Miles North of US 36 on Wadsworth. For directions-WWW.Lionsgatecenter.COM. This information came directly from the Rock Mountain News. I'm sure that all will agree, that anyone who ever met Capt. Graham would never forget him. He was Quite a character. His career started at Monarch, and ended some 30 years later with FAL. -Jim Baumann (5/25/00) I just hung up from a very long conversation with George's son, Steve Graham. Steve called to make me feel better about not being able to attend the services. Steve said he knew I was there albeit not physically and that George wasn't there physically either... Steve was euphoric about the services for George. It sounds like George orchestrated the whole thing from Pilots Heaven. They had a great turnout and, since it was video taped, Steve will send me a copy. Even Cecil "Fetch" Fetchner (who has been ailing) was there. They had several fly overs with lots of good ol' George stories. Many photos and good camaraderie. Even a nice letter read by one of the girls from his wife Peg! A nice poem from daughter Carrie who used to baby sit our son in the late 70's. FAL Capt and fellow QB, Dick Cochran told some stories (I really wished I coulda been there to hear those!). They had a beautiful weather day for it and the catering was terrific too. Steve is having some of George's ashes put in small containers to send to friends around the country to put where the friends think George would have liked it. Then they are to take a photograph of the place and send to Steve for the log book they are making. The majority of his ashes are in a nice leather case with George's flight bag tag on it and it will travel the country with the kids on a Year 2000 tour. George would have to be so proud of all this. I know how proud he was of his kids. He was a great father, great friend, and superb pilot. Tailwinds, George! -Billy Walker (5/29/00) This was the short write-up in the Rocky Mt. News from Saturday 5/27. GEORGE G. GRAHAM, 76 Denver died May 22 . Services were May 27. Capt. Graham was born in San Francisco on Aug 8 1923. He married Peg Graham. He was a Navy radio operator during WWII. He was a pilot with Frontier Airlines. Survivors include his wife; daughters Debbie, Carolyn, Laurie, Tami and Nanci; son Steve; two grandchildren. -Jim Baumann An Obit way too short for such a diverse gentleman. (5/31/00) Ace Avakian told me that George died in his sleep the Monday night before he was to receive a pacemaker implant. He remarked also that if this is the way he had to go, it probably was the best way, (if any way is). -Clyde Hart (6/9/00) PRC May23, 1959 A young Frontier Airlines stewardess from Lakewood, Cob., saved the life of a Denver pilot Saturday when a door on an airliner flew open at 6,000 feet 10 minutes out of Prescott, AZ. A Frontier Airlines spokes­man said Capt. George Graham, 3504 Bellaire St., owed his life to 20-year-old Carol Hanna, 1211 Reed St., Lakewood. The incident occurred about 4 p. m. Saturday as the DC-3 Frontier flight from Denver approached Prescott, AZ. Vernon Crawley, station agent for Frontier at Phoenix, said Graham was knocked to his knees in front of the door when it suddenly flew open. He said Miss Hanna grabbed the plane captain and prevented him from losing his balance and falling out the open door. Crawley said the warning light had gone on in the airliner's cockpit to warn Graham the door was not secure. When he went back into the passenger cabin and tugged at the an door, it flew wide open and Graham was thrown to his knees. "If Miss Hanna had not grabbed him," Crawley said, "he would have lost his balance and probably fallen out." When the plane landed at Prescott, the door dragged on the runway. A second plane, another DC-3, was flown from Phoenix to Prescott to replace the damaged aircraft. Graham, Miss Hanna and the rest of the crew stayed all night in Prescott and were slated to bring a return flight back to Denver, arriving here at 1:30. pm. Sunday. Frontier officials in Denver would not comment on the incident. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ...credited with saving the life of a pilot when the main door of their plane popped open at 1500 feet, Sunday calmly dismissed the episode as "just reflex action." The Frontier Airlines DC-3 was en route from Denver to Prescott, Ariz., carrying 20 passengers and a crew of three Saturday when the incident happened. "We were coming in for a landing when the warning light flashed on - indicating the door was not closed tight," Stewardess Carol Hanna, 20, of 1211 Reed St., Lakewood, said. "Captain Graham (George Graham of 3405 Bellaire st.) came back to check it. When he pulled on it, it popped open." An airline spokesman said the sudden rush of air into the cockpit knocked Graham backwards. "I don't know whether I grabbed him or not," said Miss Hanna. "If I did, it probably was reflex action." The plane landed with its passenger door hanging from its bottom hinges. Several of the passengers immediately made a beeline for telephones to spread the word of Miss Hanna's action. The twin-engine DC-3 was flown back to Denver, sans door, Sunday morning. The DC-3, with its military counterpart, the C-47 transport, has a worldwide reputation as an almost indestructible workhorse. Quipped one airport ground crewman as he inspected the plane: "This confirms my theory there are only three ways you can get killed In a DC-3 - you can freeze, die of the heat or die of starvation." -Newspaper clippings sent by Pat Craze (11/19/03) I Remember When By Duane Phelps 1949-1985 (36 years) Hired 6/49 Stn. Agt. Alamosa for $150 per mo.,6 day wk,8 hr. shifts. Capt. Geo. Meshko flew me to Pueblo in an open cockpit PT-19 to Watch the Blue Angels in prop F8 aircraft. (Better than Jets) Capt. Army Armstrong arrived early came into the Stn. Tuned the radio To HF Freq. Had me listen to an ATC Clearance, and told me I had better Be able to recite a clearance the next time he came thru. Rode observer with George Graham and Glen Gettman Practicing under hood at Stapleton, both became Capts. On my second FIt. I went to the cockpit and asked if it was true that the Pilots and stews sometimes shared the same bed and was told of course, That CO and TW stews were even waiting in their rooms on layover in ABQ. It took me a little while to realize how my leg had been pulled by the best ewo pullers on the airline, Art Ashworth and Ace Avakian. -Duane Phelps (2/6/06) FRONTIER'S 'FLYING CROSS' LANDS AS A PLEASANT MEMORY Published on May 7, 1995. A retired Frontier Airlines pilot, Capt. George Graham of Denver, wrote us after we ran a brief April 9 on the famous "flying cross," which was flown over Denver by Frontier during the Christmas season in the 1940s and '50s. "I flew for Frontier Airlines for 35 years," his letter begins. "I started as a steward for Monarch Airlines in April of 1948. There were about 12 of us at the time, and Alverta Wilson was a sort of... 874 words, Rocky Mountain News (CO) -docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/RM/lib00244,0EB4E2BC2D574393.html May 7, 1995 - "I flew for Frontier Airlines for 35 years," his letter begins. "I started as a steward for Monarch Airlines in April of 1948. ... ''I was put on as a co-pilot in June of 1950, when Frontier was born as a result of the merger of Monarch, Challenger and Arizona Airways. ... From FRONTIER'S 'FLYING CROSS' LANDS AS A PLEASANT... -docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/RM/lib00244,0EB4E2BC2D574393.html Couldn't get the rest of the articles. -Jake Lamkins (5/20/09) G G GRAHAM Pilot seniority date of 6/27/50, #6, on the 9/1/81 FL/ALPA seniority list. He is not on the 9/1/85 list. The May 1995 articles above say he started as a steward in April 1948 and became a co-pilot in June 1950. He turned 60 in 1983 and retired according to Tex Searle's book. -Jake Lamkins (7/7/09) G. G. GRAHAM PHX copilot per 11/4/55 FL Roster. G. G. GRAHAM Notation says George DEN captain DOB 8/8/23 DOH 4/1/48 per the Feb 1960 FL Roster. -Jake Lamkins (4/10/12) Posted at FLacebook and the FL Club: Pilot George Graham's memorial webpage has been updated. http://FAL-1.tripod.com/George_Graham.html Several items added and moved to a non-ad site. Post your remembrances of George. -Jake Lamkins (4/16/12) George was a great Captain.....enjoyed flying with him back in the day. -Gerrie Donaldson (4/16/12) A great tribute to George... One of my favorite people! I miss him immensely! His memorial tribute was so wonderful, I didn't want to leave. Seriously! After his final flying retirement, I would be honored with visits from him on a regular basis at the bar I owned and we would chat for hours about the "good old days." We once took a ride to Central City and a very "memorable" trip back home over the "OH MY GOD" road with me driving the Willys... No power brakes or steering... I wanted to bust his chops! George thought it was pretty funny but I was scared to death! His son Steve and I now share stories. We are both kids of Captains of the original Frontier, and we now both work at the "new" Frontier. I am blessed to have been George's friend. -Vicky Veldboon (4/16/12) Does anyone remember the names of these FLolks in a 1958 slide for sale at Ebay. They look familiar. -Jake Lamkins (7/20/16) The pilot is George...... can't think of his last name, but flew with him on the 580. He was a great father and would always bring one of his kids on his flights. -Roberta Karr (7/20/16) Is it George Graham? -Gemma Holden (7/20/16) Thanks Gemma. That's it .... George Graham. -Roberta Karr (7/20/16) I think the man is George. -Dick Orr (7/20/16) That looks like flight attendant Vi Lester. -Jake Lamkins (7/22/16) Vicky Veldboon sent us the link to the pic you posted of my Dad, George Graham. What a great photo! Don't believe I've ever seen it? -Steve Graham (7/22/16) FLacebook - FL Club FLight West: George Graham DEN pilot George Graham's memorial webpage has been updated at http://FAL-1.tripod.com/George_Graham.html Added a few items and revamped the webpage. -Jake Lamkins (1/5/17) Posted at FLacebook on Jun 16, 2021 Steven Graham I've mixed emotions tonight. Tomorrow morning FFT 307 departs DEN for FCA at 1000L. This is Frontier's inaugural flight to this locale and I've been assigned to fly it. A few years ago, ~ 45?, I began traveling to Kalispell on my dad George's flights for those epic long layovers in the Flathead valley. I still recall the way the people of Northwestern MT adopted the FAL crews and the stunning beauty of the Kalispell surroundings. Of course, he fell in love, not only with the people of the area but also the land itself and, after retirement with a woman he met there as he spent his summers flying for Stockhill across from the Outlaw Inn. The fog of the years clouds my memories of this amazing place. That may actually enhance them. I'm beyond excited to be able to fly once again to a true Frontier town for an airline with the namesake of the one I grew up with. On the other, I'm sensitive to the fact the world has radically changed since the days of my youth. This is NOT the same airline, but it rides upon the legacy of the one created by those people I grew up with. My dad earned his 25-year pin in 1973 when I was ten; about the time he started flying into Kalispell. I earned my own 25-year pin last year, but I'll be wearing my dad's tomorrow in his memory and for everyone else who created such a wonderful airline. Pam Coffman Ellis Loved hearing about this. Joanne Griffin So nicely said. I flew back in the day - many times with your dad. I remember him well - we were just a huge family back then and proud of the Frontier we flew for over 35 years ago!! Patty Hughes Smith I flew with your Dad and he was always professional and kind. Dennis Casadoro Warms my heart, have a great first flight to FCA Jeff Truax I remember meeting you and your dad on one of those layovers, enjoy the flight and memories! Duane Hollis I'm sure I must have flown with your dad as an in-flight CSR back in the day! Julie Wood James A beautiful tribute to the people that have made Frontier Airlines great through the years. Safe travels tomorrow. Wilbert Sherman This statement was wonderful - being a old Frontier employee made me happy seeing this outstanding letter. Thanks Steven. Sheila Herrmann You can choose to reminisce in the legacy of the past or look forward and build the legacy of the future for those that will follow in your footsteps. There’s still a lot of small town life left with both morals and mentors. They haven’t all disappeared. Best wishes to you and safe journeys Jake Lamkins http://FAL-1.tripod.com/George_Graham.html Bill Buse Have a great flight to FCA. Bonnie Dahl Wish I could go with you. I’m from Montana. God Bless George! Lorrie Craven Tarr What beautiful words. When I talk about FL I always refer it as "the old" Frontier. My father, too, was a pilot for FL and then I joined as a res agent. Was a beautiful place to work. Fly safe today and always. I know your father is with you. Verne W. Carlson And I had many layovers there with your dad Molly Coyle I remember your Dad and I definitely remember Kalispell. Montana’s people are great and I always said they were as friendly as my fellow Texans. Lots of memories at the Outlaw Inn. Thanks for taking us down memory lane. Christina Bonatti He was great Sue Beckham He was such a joy to know and I so get him in your words Lisa Kerr Zeman This is such a beautiful story. And I loved your dad. Ginger Treptow Good luck one the Inaugural flight. Your Dad would be proud and by your wearing his 25 Year Service Pin. You Honor him in the most thoughtful way. I’m sure he will be in the Cockpit with you in Spirit! Ruth Pitts Loved your story - your father & you would be on our trip to AZ. Congratulations on your 25 year pin. I too loved your Dad & family. Denise Hurd I loved your dad he was the greatest! I remember those Kalispell layovers well. What a special story you shared, I hope your trip is beautiful! (6/17/21)