1950-2026
Gary Graham was born on March 28, 1950, in Riverside, California, to Bill and Helen Graham. Gary spent the first ten years of his life growing up on a cattle ranch in Three Rivers, California, where his love for ranching, cattle, and the cowboy way of life began.
In 1960, after the ranch in Three Rivers was sold, Bill and Helen purchased a ranch in Bieber, California, bringing the Graham family to Big Valley, a place Gary would forever call home.
Gary attended Big Valley schools, graduating in 1968. He continued his education at Shasta College before attending California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo. Following college, Gary returned to Big Valley and later purchased a ranch in Red Bluff, where he built a feedlot. It was there that he and his father, Bill, spent countless days cowboying together, doing what they loved.
During those years, Gary also drove truck for numerous trucking companies throughout the North State, building friendships and collecting stories along the way.
In 1982, Gary married Trish McAuliffe of Cottonwood, California. He brought his bride home to Bieber, where they began building their life together. At the time, Gary was working for Del Logging, but in 1984, Gary and Trish took a leap of faith and purchased their first tree shear. With that, Graham Logging was established.
For the next 22 years, Gary dedicated himself to the logging industry, working hard and building a business alongside his wife. Logging was more than a job to Gary; it was a way of life, one that reflected his determination, work ethic, and love for the outdoors. Gary retired in 2010, leaving behind a lifetime of hard work and memories.
But of all the things Gary accomplished, nothing brought him greater pride than his family. He adored his children, Ryan and Faren, and was incredibly proud of the people they had become. In retirement, Gary devoted his time to his children and grandchildren, cherishing every moment spent with them.
Gary was also known for being a wonderful storyteller. Whether sharing memories of his cowboying days, his years in the logging, or adventures from years gone by, Gary always had a story to tell. Those stories, his laughter, and the memories he created will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved him.
Gary was preceded in death by his loving parents, Bill and Helen Graham.
He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Trish Graham; his son, Ryan (Tiffany) Graham; his daughter, Faren (Phil) Miller; his daughter, Heather Graham; his 5 cherished grandchildren, Jace, Rylinn, and Kade Graham, and Reid and Reece Miller; and his sister, Judy (Matt) Maddox.
A Celebration of Life honoring Gary will be held Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Bieber, California.
Lunch will be provided, and family and friends are encouraged to come together to share memories, laughter, and, of course, a few good stories—just as Gary would have wanted.
Forever loved, forever missed, and forever in our hearts.
