Leonard Oscar “Lenny” Graham, 65, of Ord passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2024.
Leonard Oscar “Lenny” Graham, born to Ellen and Eddie Graham on Sept 20, 1959, was the youngest of six children. He spent his early ears in Cleveland, Ohio where he attended public schools. Lenny graduated in the summer of 1977, missing the usual spring graduation due to skipping too much school in order to go to a job.
He worked at a transmission shop until he returned to school then received training as an EMT/Paramedic, graduating in 1995. He was employed as an in-house firefighter by Lubrizol Corporation in Cleveland and on his off days he served as a Firefighter/Paramedic for Ravenna Township and was also employed as a coach/educator for Paramedics in training by the City of Cleveland.
Around 2000, Lenny was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. When he was unable to pass the necessary physicals, he was no longer employed in his chosen profession and started a Home Services Business. It became harder and harder for him to do this work, and he turned to training in IT. He received his CompTIA A+ Certification in 2015. Not finding a job to his specifications in Cleveland, he decided to move to Omaha, Nebraska where his friends, John and Coyne Quinn had recently relocated. Lenny was employed by First Data Corporation, a large global business. He loved this job but couldn’t talk about it due to it being a high security job. Lenny enjoyed volunteering at his church; providing the livestream ministry.
Once again, MS closed another door when it became active, and he took a couple of nasty falls and was no longer able to work. In 2016, Lenny moved to Ord, Nebraska where he helped his friend, Coyne take care of her husband, John who had Alzheimer’s. He was there for both of them until John’s passing.
In 2022, Lenny married his friend, Coyne. They made their home in Ord.
Prior to marriage, Lenny lived at Rolling Hills Terrace Apartments where he made several friends; friendships which have continued. He had his favorite convenience stores, not because of the store but because of the friends he had made there. He was known to his friends as a smart and caring, and sometimes a funny person.
Lenny had never seen fireflies until the night he arrived in Ord where a field was just full of them. Each year after, he loved going out to see the fireflies. He also watched for times when the star showers would be at the heaviest and found favorite unlighted places to view them. He would often listen to music while puffing on a cigar and each morning, he would make sure his cat, Georgie had her breakfast.
Survivors include his wife, Coyne Quinn; son, Lenny Huffman; daughter, Jennifer Huffman; step children, Melanie Boden and Shawn (Tammy) Krajnik; sisters, Patricia Graham, Pricilla (Leroy) Collins and Shirley (Thomas) Digraphenreed; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ellen, and brothers, Eddie and Kenneth.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 4, 2024, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Ord, Nebraska. Inurnment will be in the Ord Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the American Red Cross to be designated to Hurricane Relief.
Ord Memorial Chapel is assisting with the arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.ordmemorialchapel.com
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