By Michele Gualano - Express-News 

 Growing up during the Depression forced Joseph Graham to become quite an innovative child. He learned to repair radios, raised prize-winning hogs and contributed to his family's grocery budget by delivering newspapers.

Most impressively, at 13, he wired his grandfather's home when electrification found its way to their rural town in North Texas.

Graham died Tuesday of complications from Parkinson's disease. He was 84.

In 1943, Graham, adamant about earning an electrical engineering degree, received a scholarship to Texas A&M. But at the end of his freshman year, he was drafted into the Army.

Throughout his life, Graham felt fortunate to have been accepted to Officer Candidate School, because that kept him from having to fight in the Battle of the Bulge, said his wife, Jean.

After his stint in the Army, Graham completed college and began working for Southwestern Bell. But again, war interfered.

Serving in the Signal Corps during the Korean War, Graham dealt with telegraph equipment and worked diligently to keep the lines of communication open.

Upon returning to the states, he rejoined Southwestern Bell. He would earn numerous promotions and relocate several times during his 34-year career.

While working at the New York City office, he and his wife trekked to Connecticut one weekend and happened upon a vintage clock shop. He discovered a hobby that tapped into his creative side.

He soon began buying old clocks and taught himself how to repair them. Eventually, the hobby became a second career.

In 1963, Southwestern Bell relocated Graham to San Antonio. But 20 years later, another request to move spurred Graham to retire.

Working from a bedroom in his home, Graham's talents with clocks developed rapidly.

His refurbishing of an antique grandfather clock won him recognition and a prize at the National Clock Convention. He'd melted down brass telephone bells to use as the clock's weights and applied gold leafing to the glass.

Working with local antique shops, fellow church members and other clockmakers allowed Graham to build a substantial clientele.

He gave gifts of grandfather clocks to each of his children.

“He always made us know that we were important,” daughter Jenice Benedict said. “He'd rather be with us than anywhere.”