TUPELO — James Michael Graham died unexpectedly on Thursday, March 16, 2017, at the Cedars Health Center in Tupelo, at the age of 57.

Mike is survived by his mother, Martha Gurley Graham of Tupelo; wife, Lindy Gary Graham; sons, Knox, Kyle and Parks; sisters, Renee Camp (Pierce) of Hernando and Cindy Fowler (Ray) of Tupelo. He was preceded in death by his father James V. Graham.

Mike was born on December 7, 1959, in Tupelo, to James and Martha. He graduated from Tupelo High School in 1977 and attended the University of Mississippi in 1978. He married Lindy, a school teacher, in 1983. During his professional career in the financial sector, Mike worked for Personal Finance, Community Federal Bank, and Merchants and Farmers Bank in Tupelo. Mike’s friends and family remember him as a having a quick wit, strong sense of humor, quiet kindness, tough demeanor, and a smile that filled the room.

Mike was an avid Ole Miss sports fan and accomplished outdoorsman who enjoyed teaching his sons to play sports and deer hunt—even after he became paralyzed on his left side from a stroke in 2006, he enjoyed harvesting deer by shooting his rifle with one arm.

His passions included the Lord, his family, Ole Miss sports, deer hunting, Levi Garrett chewing tobacco, all things Republican, and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. His dislikes included all things Mississippi State University, Louisiana State University, and Chicago Cubs baseball.

Services will be 5 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2017 at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with visitation from 3 until service time. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Mike’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Center (800) 533-2873, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Foundation 1505 Eastower Drive, Jackson MS 39211, or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Franks House at the Cedar’s Health Center for their care and dedication for Mike during his time there.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.