Les Graham; 1942-2025

Les Graham was born Sept. 8, 1942, in Upton, CA, where his father was taking flight instructions prior to enlisting in the Army Air Corps. Les’ early years were all spent on ranches in New Mexico and Colorado. He began breaking horses at a large ranch in Hartsel, CO, managed by his father and for his grandfather in Walsenburg, CO. 

The family moved to a ranch east of Miles City, MT, on the Powder River in 1955, where Les graduated from the 8th grade from a one-room country school. He began working for large area ranches and continued to do so for the next number of years, cowboying and breaking horses. He was always proud of the time spent on the C.M. Coffee and John Scott ranches. 

He attended Custer County High School, graduating in 1960 where he was a member of FFA, the basketball team and the 1960 Montana High School championship rodeo team as a calf roper. He served in several FFA offices and was also a member of the Livestock Judging Team at District and state conventions. Upon graduation, he received a scholarship to play basketball for Miles City Junior College where he attended and played for one year. At that time, with a strong family history of military service, Les elected to join the Navy. However, it was not to be. Having a severe allergy to wool, he was medically discharged. He, once again, received a basketball scholarship and returned to Miles City Junior College earning an Associate of Arts degree. Les married Mary Pembroke in 1963 and transferred to Dickinson State University, again with a scholarship to play basketball. While there he served as president of the Union Board of Governors and vice president of the senior class. He was a member of the Phi Sigma Pi, a National Honorary Scholastic fraternity for men, and was listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Les graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in business and with a minor in physical education.  

For the next five years, Les coached basketball, taught business courses and served as a counselor for high schools in Froid, Big Sandy and Harlem. In 1972, he received his master’s degree in business marketing from Montana State University (MSU) and moved back to Miles City to act as dean of students and instructor in the business department at Miles Community College. He also served as assistant basketball coach and coach of the rodeo team. During this time, Les also refereed many of the area high school basketball games. 

In 1974, Les accepted the position of administrator of the Brands Enforcement Division of the Department of Livestock. In 1981, he was appointed to be executive secretary of the Montana Department of Livestock where he supervised the State Veterinarian’s Office, State Diagnostic Lab, Meat, Milk, and Egg Division; Predator Control, Enforcement and Brand Inspection Division; and the Beef and Pork Check Off programs. He also served as the legislative contact for the Department of Livestock, and he was a graduate of the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and a P.O.S.T. Certified Peace Officer. 

Les worked very hard for the department during these years and treasured the relationships that were formed from the department employees, other state agencies, lawmakers and producers. He was especially proud of the brand inspectors he worked with and held these relationships in very high regard. His position, working under the supervision of the Board of Livestock, many times placed him in the governor’s office or at the state legislature explaining or clarifying/defending the position of the Department of Livestock regarding arising issues. During his time in Helena, Les also acted as assistant basketball coach at Helena Capital High School and a volunteer to the Helena school system for athletic events. 

Les also served agriculture on the national level including as a member of the National Cattleman’s Association’s Animal Health, Animal Care, Identification, and Marketing Committees; as a member of the United States Animal Health Association’s Animal Care and Livestock Identification Committees where he served as the chair of the Identification Committee from 1987 through 1991; served as president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and director as well as on numerous committees of the International Livestock Identification and Theft Investigators Association; a member of the Animal Welfare Committee; and as a technical advisor to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. 

Following the divorce from his previous marriage, Les and Diane Duvall Weeter were married in 1991. They spent the next 34 very happy years together. 

In 1992 Les, left the Department of Livestock and originated his own business as Les Graham and Associates where he continued to serve and work with the agricultural industry at the agency, legislative and producer levels. Some of these include origination and administration of the Montana Ag Safety program for eight of Montana’s agricultural organizations and helping numerous ranches, farms and small businesses with Workman’s Compensation issues; coordinating Montana Ag Safety Program for Montana State Fund involving all the livestock organizations in Montana; executive secretary of the Montana Dairy Association; Executive secretary of the Conservation Districts of the Yellowstone; government affairs representative for Montana agriculture associations; assisted with the writing of two Homeland Security documents dealing with Agriculture Risk Assessment; executive director of Montana Livestock Marketing Association; safety trainer for Montana Department of Livestock; member of the Montana Ag Coalition; advisory board member of the Colorado State University Ag Safety and Research Committee; board member of the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame; member of the Montana Beef Council; member of the Montana Aggies; member of the Advisory Board of the MSU Rodeo Team; chairman of the Governor’s Ad Hoc Committee; and executive secretary of the Montana Game Breeder’s Association. Les was also a commercial producer for Western States Insurance in Bozeman. 

The awards and recognition Les has received include the MSU Outstanding Ag Leadership Award, election to the Miles Community College Hall of Fame and Farm Bureau’s Service to Agriculture award. 

Les traveled extensively around the state of Montana for many years. There is not a community in the state in which he does not know someone or cannot tell a story about it. He loved people and would initiate conversations whether in the halls of Helena, a convenience store or the lumber store, etc. He was concerned about the afflictions and injustices of others but had no tolerance with arrogance, the agendas of politics, bureaucracy or anyone mistreating animals. He loved to tease and joke and was known as “thee Les” to many of those working the front line of the businesses and organizations he dealt with. 

He was recognized as a straightshooter and for his discernment regarding ag bills and his knowledge of and ability to work with all people. He had a large impact on the Montana agriculture industry in his time and touched many lives. He will be sorely missed by all. 

Survivors include spouse, Diane; daughters, Joslyn (Jeff) Davidson, Debby (Leo) Ramone, Susan Graham (Kelly Burgess), Kaaren Ross (John); son, Jimmy (Anna) Graham; daughter, Stacy (Ron) Avila; grandchildren, Abbey, Katie, Jaden, Allie, Kalin, Graycie, Bryce and Blake; great-grandchildren, Steele and Louisa; sisters, Sharon (Pat) McKittrick and Mary (Herb) Kron; brothers, Bob Graham and Pat (Lanette) Graham; and numerous nieces and nephews.