Wesley Graham Sr.

Wesley Mickel Graham Sr. (Mickel), 75, died on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, in Decatur, GA.

He was born on October 15, 1949 in Shreveport, LA, to William Marcellus and Wanda June Graham.

Mickel graduated from Hillcrest High School (Memphis, TN) in 1968 and went on to earn his Bachelor's degree from Georgia State University. Before graduating from GSU, Mickel attended UT Martin and briefly Emory University Candler School of Theology.

He spent the majority of his career in real estate and condominium association management. He retired in 2015 from Union Bank of California as a Vice President for Sales and Marketing. During his tenure with Union Bank, Mickel was also active in Community Associations Institute (CAI), where he taught a variety of classes designed to lead to professional designations for community managers and other industry professionals.

Committed to his community, Mickel was active both at home in Decatur and in Highlands, North Carolina where he spent his summers and fall. A member of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Atlanta, he most recently attended services at Highlands United Methodist Church. Always involved with community outreach, Mickel was an active volunteer for Mountain Findings, a local thrift store dedicated to serving Highlands since 1969. For several years, Mickel served as a volunteer and tour guide at Atlanta's historic Oakland Cemetery. He was also a founding member of the Gay Fathers' Group in Atlanta plus an advocate and champion for PFLAG.

For those who know him best, Mickel was one of those rare individuals who crosses one's path and makes life more colorful/interesting. Along with his love for storytelling, his quirky sense of humor could catch you by surprise. For example, when introducing himself, he would sometimes say "Mickel...like the pickle, Graham...like the cracker." Lifetime friends fondly remember his compassion and loyalty, his thriving on bringing people together-often describing him as the "one who keeps all of us connected."

Mickel is survived by his husband Lin Callihan; his younger sister Penny Graham; two sons Wes Graham and wife Mariam and granddaughter Alex (13), Matt Graham and partner Chris Hoopaugh; and daughter Jo Sedlack and husband Tom. A devoted father and grandfather, "Daddy Mickel" was most proud of his granddaughters Evelyn Sedlack (Nick), Rachel Sedlack-Prittie (Nate), Olivia Sedlack (James), plus five great grandchildren: Leif (10), Phe (8), Lyla (8), Lochlan (6), and Zion (5). His extended family also includes his ex-wife Judy Graham, her sister Danny Dunworth, and Mickel's nephew Mikey Dunworth and his wife Jana.

The family intends to hold a memorial service to celebrate Mickel's life when the wildflowers bloom in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be sent to Mountain Findings of Highlands, NC, the Trevor Project, PFLAG, or to any charity of your choice.

His family paid this tribute to him: "Mickel was one of the kindest people you could ever meet, he opened his heart and his home to anyone who needed a sense of family, love, and self-worth. He has left an indelible imprint on so many and will be sorely missed."