Graham Hydrick Sadler

Born in 1931 to Philip and Montie Sadler in Sikeston, Mo, Graham grew up with three brothers – Philip, Milton and Paul. After marrying Betty Ann Grugett in 1950 and starting a family, he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1952 from Southeast Missouri State College (Cape Girardeau, MO). Graham then worked as Assistant Librarian and Instructor of Library Science at Southeast Missouri State College from 1954-1961. He spent summers working toward his Masters in Library Science at Emory University (Atlanta, GA) and earned his degree in 1958. He served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1950 to 1968. In 1961, Graham became Administrative Librarian at Kinderhook Regional Library (Lebanon, MO), where he began his legacy of building libraries. Graham then spent one year (1966-1967) in Durango, CO, as Director of the Fort Lewis College Library before he was appointed Associate Professor, Division of Librarianship at Kansas State Teachers College (Emporia, KS). Three years later, the family moved to the Denver metro area for Graham to work as Assistant Librarian and Director of Community Services for the Denver Public Library. From 1970-1977, he worked on library development and coordinated the DPL Foundation and Friends of the Denver Public Library. He finished his career as the Director of Henrico County Library (Richmond, VA), working to expand the system with new libraries. After retirement in 1994, Graham and Betty returned to Denver. Betty preceded him in death in 2020. He is survived by three children - Graham, Jr. (Judy), Susan (Diana), and Lee (Ruth); his youngest son, Harrison (Linda, deceased) died in 2015. "Papa" was the proud and loving grandfather of Duane (Jamie), Benjamin (Sarah), Matthew (Megan), Catherine, Jacob, and Sarah; and the great grandfather of Alexis, Cori Beth, Diana, and Isaac. After years of struggling with lung disease and congestive heart failure, Graham collapsed and died in the early morning on his 92nd birthday. A man of steadfast faith, Graham also loved his church and church family. Ashes will be interred beside Betty at Fairmount Cemetery (Denver, CO). A memorial service is planned for Saturday, Sept 23, at 10:30 am at 5 Star Residences of Dayton Place, 1950 S Dayton St, Denver, CO 80247. In lieu of flowers, please make a difference in the world by donating to your place of worship or favorite charity.