Leon Norrod Graham, Direct Marketing Executive and a former Editor of The Daily Texan,  passed away on Sunday, April 20, in Salisbury, Ct. Born in Mercedes, Texas, on October 30, 1940. Leon was the son of Leon R. Graham and Mary Norrod Graham. His father graduated from college at seventeen and had a long career in public education retiring as an Assistant Commissioner of Education for the State of Texas. His mother graduated from Baylor University and also held various elected positions in Austin and statewide teacher organizations.

A straight “A” student in all subjects from grade school through high school, Leon was one of only 25 high school students in the State of Texas chosen by Rice University for a six -week summer program in advanced mathematics. He starred in several theatrical productions of the Royal Court Players, was the McCallum marching band drum major, was selected into The National Honor Society, was the Interscholastic League State Declamation Champion, and elected President of the 1958 senior class.

Upon graduation from high school in 1958, he was admitted into the prestigious Plan II program at the University of Texas. During his undergraduate days he joined Delta Tau Delta fraternity, was chosen to be a Silver Spur, and inducted into the Friars Society. He also served as Editor of the summer Daily Texan. He graduated with honor degrees in history and journalism. He later earned a master’s in history from Southern Methodist University.

In 1969, he relocated to New York where he learned the direct marketing business at American Express. Subsequently, he served as executive vice president at Columbia House Record Club, moved to Scali McCabe Sloves where he assisted in setting up their direct marketing arm and from there became executive vice president of the BMG Record Club.

In 2004, following a major health crisis, he moved permanently to Salisbury, Connecticut. He became the art, theater music and film critic for The Lakeville Journal – Northwest Connecticut’s major local newspaper. He was a Board Member of the Scoville Memorial Library and served as President of the Salisbury Forum – an organization that brings top speakers on a wide range of current topics to share their experiences and viewpoints with the Northwest Corner community.

Leon is survived by his brother, Sam Graham, his niece Mary Louise Pozaric, her husband Nicholas Pozaric and two grand nephews, Graham and Reese Pozaric.

His family would like to thank the Noble Horizon Staff, the Hospice program that managed his last days and his long-time care giver Mo Buri. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, May 6, Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home, 5416 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, Texas.