Herbert Lee Graham, a highly respected entrepreneur and visionary leader, passed away on September 25 at the age of 87. Born in 1938 in New Mexico, he relocated to Odessa in the late 1950s and would go on to leave a lasting impact on the region, including his ownership of Odesssa-based SouthWest Bank.
Graham attended Odessa Junior College and married his high school sweetheart, Ginger Haynes, which started a devoted partnership that spanned 66 years. He is survived by his wife, five younger brothers, two sisters, his daughter Rainey, son-in-law Jake Pratt and three grandchildren.
After spending a decade as a truck driver, Graham went into the music industry in 1964. In 1968, he leased the Shadow Club, marking the beginning of a prolific career in the entertainment industry. Together with his younger siblings, he founded Graham Brothers Entertainment, which at its peak operated more than 30 clubs and employed over 2,000 individuals. His ventures also included talent management, a recording studio and ownership of radio stations.
Beyond entertainment, Graham was a versatile businessman involved in various industries, including banking, ranching, land development, real estate, automotive services and industrial operations. He also founded and managed a recording label, publishing company and artist management firm.
In recognition of his contributions to the community, Graham was honored as “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce in 2005 and received the titles of “Breeder of the Year” and “Owner of the Year” in 2001.
Established in 1999, SouthWest Bank serves customers in Odessa, Midland and Lubbock.
