Joseph Clifford Graham III (“Joe”, “Cliff”, “Bub” – take your pick), of La Vernia, Texas, passed away on January 9th, 2022 at the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans’ Hospital.  What meteorologists thought was a cold front that moved through the following day was in fact, a collective sigh of relief from every white wing dove in the southern United States. 

Joe was born in Fairbanks, Alaska on August 17th, 1953 and grew up in Delphi, Indiana, where he developed his love for the outdoors and throwing dead skunks into the school ventilation system to get out of class for the afternoon.

He served 3 years in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was a 28 year veteran of the San Antonio Police Department.  He spent most of his S.A.P.D. career satisfying his love for motorcycles as a motors officer, but he also spent time as a SWAT officer and an instructor at the academy teaching tactics and motorcycle skills.  Throughout his career with S.A.P.D., he had the opportunity to meet multiple U.S. Presidents, political officials, and foreign dignitaries.  After retirement, he found a new way to serve the community as an active member of Grace Bible Church.

He was an avid fisherman and owned a fishing pole for nearly every lure in his tackle box.  He also enjoyed spending the late summer and early fall afternoons in the fields with friends hunting doves and telling stories. 

Joe is survived by his sons Ryan and Kyle, his daughter-in-law Mary Jane, and grandchildren Baker and Wren.  He was preceded in death by his son Lance.