David A. Graham, 36 passed away on Oct. 9, 2007, in a car accident while on duty with the Montana Highway Patrol. David was born on May 26, 1971, in Kansas City, Mo. He later moved Kalispell in the third grade to live with his mother and three brothers, and then for a period returned to Kansas City with his father, where he attended Wentworth Military Academy and he excelled, achieving the honor roll and marksmanship awards.

Later, he returned to Kalispell where he continued on to graduate from Flathead High School in 1989. He then moved back to Kansas City to attend Johnson County Community College where he studied electronics and to live near his father. While there, David established himself as a leader with a local Fun Factory business and became their district manager, coordinating all new store openings.

He met his wife, Genny, there and they were married on July 20, 1996, in Independence, Mo. They in turn moved back to Kalispell in 1999 to raise their family in the area he so loved.

Some of David's greatest joys in life were just hanging out with his children and wife, studying music, working on his hot rod Mustang car, and enjoying the hunting afforded him in Montana.

David pursued his lifelong dream and joined the Montana Highway Patrol in August 2006. He passed away doing what he loved, 'helping those in need.' He is survived by his wife, Genny; three children, Cedric, age 9, Chynna, age 7, and Caiden, age 4; his mother, Maren Nestegard; stepfather, Larry Nestegard; father, David L. Graham; stepmother, Jean Graham; his three brothers Vic, Jeff and Scott Nelson; a stepsister, Alison, and her husband, Todd Hawes; along with his grandmother, Dorothy B. Graham; a stepgrandfather, Carlton Nestegard; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles; along with many, many good friends. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Christian Center Church at 255 Summit Ridge Drive in Kalispell. Internment will immediately follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

A trust for the family's benefit has been established at First Interstate Bank.