Larry Dale Graham, 77, of Edwardsville, IL, passed away on Monday, August 31 ^st , 2020.

Larry was preceded in death by his mother, Elsie Aishe, and father, Earl Aishe, from Scotland, Indiana.  Larry is married to Karen Patty-Graham and has four children:  Nita Sue Graham, Gina Segobiano (Tony), Steven Graham, and Mark Patty (Elizabeth).  He has two grandchildren, Kelli Stiltz (Zach) and Scott Segobiano.   Larry has one brother, Bob Aishe, and a nephew, Major Aishe, from Tell City, IN.  Also, surviving is Larry's first wife, Waneta Graham, from Granite City, IL.

A 1960 graduate of Odon High School, his Junior season he helped lead the Bulldogs to the school's first (and only) sectional and regional championships before he played in and lost the final sudden-death overtime game to ever occur in the Indiana high school basketball state tournament. For anyone that witnessed, "It was Odon's time in 59." Graham set the Odon record of 1,387 career points, along with 929 rebounds.

After playing at Vincennes University and Texas Wesleyan University, he embarked on a legendary coaching career. He won 806 games as a high school and college coach, including two Illinois high school state titles in 1977 and 1981 at Madison (IL) High School and two-time Illinois High School Coach of the Year honors. Graham recently reflected, "I was never more big-time than when I was the coach at Madison High School."

At Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville, he is the winningest coach in program history with 147 wins, a .636 winning percentage, and he led SIUE teams to their first three NCAA Division II National Tournament appearances. He also coached at Oakville (MO) High School, Florissant Valley Community College, and Lindenwood (MO) University and started basketball programs at Belleville Area College – Granite City and Parks Air College

Graham is a member of five Halls of Fame…Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame, and the Greater Evansville Basketball Hall of Fame. Graham was also named one of the "100 Legends of Illinois High School Basketball."

Graham will be remembered as fiercely loyal to his family and friends. He loved his players, coaches, and the camaraderie of everyone in the basketball community. He even got along with most referees. He was a gifted story-teller and was known for his great sense of humor. Graham's lasting legacy will be the numerous young men and women he helped mold, and the impact that they have made and will continue to make as they carry his values to their families and communities. The family would like to thank Marilyn, Amy, and the rest of the Anderson Hospital staff who treated him like family in his final days. If you asked Larry what he was doing anytime in the last 50 years, his likely response would be "Just trying to win a game."

Larry's visitation has been scheduled from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Sunset Hill Funeral Home located at 50 Fountain Drive, Glen Carbon, IL on Monday, September 7.  A private family service will begin at 7:00 P.M.   A celebration of life for all family, friends, and past coaches and players will be scheduled in the summer in coordination with the IBCA of Southern Illinois Hall of Fame event.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association of Southern Illinois care of Larry Graham Scholarship Fund to 6 Wiltshire Court, Edwardsville, IL  62025 or to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Scholarship Fund, at One Hall of Fame Court, New Castle, IN 47362, www.hoopshall.com

Condolences may be expressed to the family through the online guestbook.