John C. Graham, Sr. Named 2003 Animal Science Distinguished Alumni

John C. Graham, Sr. has been named 2003 Animal Science Distinguished Alumni.

John was raised in the Philadelphia area. He enlisted in the U.S. Army right after this 16th birthday during World War II. After the war he graduated from Penn State University with a degree in animal nutrition. That led him West to the Kansas City stockyards as a cattle buyer for the Swift Company. Later, after turning down a transfer to Nebraska, he continued his career as a cattle buyer with Iowa Beef Processing in Kansas City. He has been married to his wife Sally, who’s father was in the cattle business also, for 46 years. They have nine sons and 12 grandchildren.

In the mid-80s Graham and four others founded the First National Bank of Missouri in Lee’s Summit. His son, John C. Graham, Jr., now is president, and Graham is still on the Board of Directors. Also in the mid-80s he began his role in community affairs. He has served as chairman of Board Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce, Chairman strategic planning commission city of Lee’s Summit, and has been a board member of Lee’s Summit Social Services. Chairman, Depot Restoration of Lee’s Summit. The depot now houses the Chamber of Commerce offices and is a prominent downtown landmark.