Rorick L Graham

Thousand Oaks - With great sadness Rorick (Rory) L. Graham passed away Feb 2, 2025 from Parkinson's disease and Diabetes. Born April 20, 1947 to Cheryl and Bruce Graham, the first of 3 siblings. He grew up in Pasadena, moved to Tarzana and graduated from Taft High School in 1965. Graduated from Washington State University 1969 with a BA degree in radio communications from the Edward R Murrow School of Radio Communications. He was a member if Delta Chi Fraternity.

As a young boy he became an Amateur Radio (HAM) operator with an Amateur Extra License. He was a life member of the National Amateur Radio League.

While living in Pasadena he took the bus into Hollywood to radio stations KRLA and KFWB to watch the DJs spin records. This was his passion. After college he became a DJ at KMAX in Pasadena. 

In 1972 he enlisted in the Navy. While serving aboard the USS Oriskany he had the opportunity to be a DJ for the ship. His moto was "not too far left or too far right, but just down the middle of the road." After military duty, he worked for ABC television building electronic control rooms for TV shows such as Welcome Back Kotter and the Carpenters Christmas Show. He finally found his niche working for Pacific Bell, ie. SBC and AT+T. He worked on computer phone systems for 40 years, retiring in 2012. 

In 1980 he met his wife Isabelle at the apartment complex they lived in. Their manager was their matchmaker. Married in 1985, they started life in Moorpark, then Newbury Park, and finally, in Central Thousand Oaks in 40 years of marriage. 

Rory was Diabetic since age 36. Both loved the sea and cruised such places as Alaska, Hawaii, Panama, Mexico, Tahiti, England, Scotland, Caribbean. They had over 300 sea days. For many years after Thanksgiving they travelled to the Big Island Hawaii to spend 14 days vacation at their rented condo. 

Rory had a funny side and laughing was a huge part of his life. He was an avid collector of 50's Doo Wop and early 60's music. He had an encyclopedic mind, could tell you the name of the song, who sang it first, the label and where it was recorded, back up singers, and the "wrecking crew" players. He loved the 3 Stooges, Abbott and Costello, and Johnny Carson. He watched Washington State Football.

In 2018 he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. He joined Rock Steady Boxing VC/LA for Parkinson's. Sadly after a valiant fight he passed away with Isabelle at his side. Rory is survived by his wife Isabelle Grudt Graham and extended Family. 

A thank you to all the coaches at Rock Steady and the friends we had. Thank you to all the Kaiser doctors, nurses, physical therapists, speech therapists, and dieticians. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research or the National Diabetes Foundation.

Rory will be interred at Oakwood Cemetery in Chatsworth in the family plot. Services are private. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Crawford Lorenzen Mortuary in Northridge, CA.