Senate Honors Public Service Career of Senator Gideon Graham

The state Senate on Wednesday honored the life and contributions of late state Senator Gideon Graham. Graham was first elected to the Senate in 1911 and again in 1918. He served as Chair of the Senate Game and Fish Committee and later in 1930 was appointed Educational Director of the Oklahoma Game and Fish Commission.

Graham was instrumental in drafting many of Oklahoma’s game laws, and has been recognized as the state’s leading wildlife conservationist. Graham passed away February 10, 1950.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 59 was authored by Sen. Sean Burrage and Rep. Chuck Hoskin to honor Graham’s life and his many contributions to the state of Oklahoma.

“Senator Graham was a great man and his record of service to our state sets an example that we should all aspire to,” said Burrage, D-Claremore. “He was an exemplary leader, an accomplished author and a great family man. Gideon Graham is an important figure in our state’s history and it’s a great pleasure to be able to honor his numerous contributions to the betterment of Oklahoma.”

Numerous members of the Graham family were on hand as the Senate paid tribute to his life. Grand niece Sandra Graham Carroll, said members of the Graham family were blessed to be able to continue his legacy.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to celebrate his life and legacy,” she said. “In a statement he prepared for his funeral, he stressed the importance of conserving wildlife for future generations. He said we owed it to our children, and as his children, we’re blessed to be able to continue his legacy.”

In the 1940s, Graham deeded the state 15 acres of his own land as a game refuge and his final resting place. Graham authored numerous pamphlets crusading for wildlife conservation. He authored many books including Friend of the Hunted, History of Animals and Animal Outlaws.

SCR 59 urges the Rogers County Commission to erect an appropriate marker or memorial on County Road EW 400 north of the Gid Graham Memorial Mound to commemorate his life, deeds and final resting place.