Geffrey Graham, MD
June 19, 1941 - February 1, 2024 Dana Point, CA
Dr. Geffrey Alan Graham passed away on February 1, 2024 in Dana Point, CA.
Geff Graham was an Air Force veteran flight surgeon, a 38-year physician and cancer specialist who served countless patients in the Inland Empire, and a devoted husband, loving father, brother, son, uncle and grandfather.
Born June 19, 1941 in Point Loma, CA, he was the son of Capt. Jack L. Graham and Frankie Collins Graham. Being a Navy brat, Geff and his older sister, Sharon, relocated more than 20 times growing up. While growing up, he read voraciously, loved model rockets, aviation, military history, scientific pursuits and naval technology.
Geff graduated from Stanford University (Class of ’64) where he met Sheila Dorman (Class of ’65). He enjoyed studying biology and physics at the campus. After graduating, he continued to Medical School at Creighton University, marrying Sheila while he was halfway through medical school. Coincidentally, Sheila and Geff had many shared experiences to bond them, including attending the same high school and college, and even shared the same birthday (3 years apart) and were born in the same hospital.
Geff served with the U.S. Air Force for five years during Vietnam. He was promoted to Captain in 1968, and he completed his USAF Internship and Flight Surgeon Duty in Washington, D.C. and California. He was Medical Chief of Flight Medicine at Norton AFB, CA from 1969 until 1972. He was promoted to Major prior to honorable discharge. After a general radiology residency in Oakland, Geff completed a Radiation Oncology Residency at the University of Washington. He became one of the first 1,000 physicians to be board certified in the burgeoning new field of radiation therapy.
During his residency, he and Sheila started their family “big time”. They had son, Alan, and 11 months later, identical twins, Michele and Marcia. The Graham family moved from Medina, WA to Upland, CA when Dr. Graham became a solo practitioner in Radiation Oncology at San Antonio Community Hospital (SACH) in Upland, CA. For nearly 4 decades, he worked together with the hospital, medical colleagues and staff to treat thousands of patients and to give new meaning to cancer survival.
As the Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at SACH for 38 years, Dr. Graham was considered an excellent physician who was kind and compassionate. He kept well informed of the myriad advances in fighting cancer over the course of decades of research and progress. He was a member of numerous professional organizations and active on many medical staff committees such as Tumor Board, Safety, Quality Assurance, and Bioethics, often serving as chair. He served as Audit Chairman of the Cancer Committee for many years. Dr. Graham received the Turner Physician Award from SACH in 2013, an award recognizing outstanding leadership, dedication and service to fellow physicians, patients, and the community. Dr. Graham helped to found Inland Hospice Association and served as Vice President.
The Graham family was named Upland’s inaugural Family of the Year in 1994 for involvement with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, school activities, service organizations and sports programs. He was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Radiation Oncology, May 2000 and of the American College of Radiology, May 2003. He served his patients with dedication and said it was a privilege to get to know multiple generations of local families over the years.
Beyond his work life, Geff enjoyed family time and travel. He loved family ski trips, boogie boarding in San Clemente, snorkeling in Hawaii and exploring the world with Sheila.
Geff was predeceased by his loving wife of 57 years, Sheila (Dorman) Graham. He is survived by sister Sharon Pfister of Laguna Niguel, CA; his loving children: Dr. Alan (and wife, Sasha) Graham of Scottsdale, AZ; Michele (and husband, Gary) Silverman of San Clemente, CA, and Marcia Brauchler of Parker, CO and his 8 cherished grandchildren: Finnigan, Indiana and Odessa Graham; Garrett (and wife, Taylor) Silverman; and Amanda, Trey, Geoff and Graham Brauchler.
The Graham family is grateful for the outstanding care of Dr. Michael Haga, Hoag Hospice, and Aegis of Dana Point. The family plans a private maritime service for Geff and Sheila on the Pacific Ocean that they enjoyed throughout their lifetime together.