He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1998 and is acknowledged worldwide as one of the greatest Masters swimmers of all time.

Completely comfortable in the water, Graham achieved national swimming success during his high school and college years and throughout the rest of his life.

Graham retired from swimming in 1956, and after a brief residence in South Africa, he and Janis moved to Houston in 1962 where they raised their five children.

He began training and competing at the Dads Club of Houston, and in 1973 swam in his first Masters National Championship in Santa Monica, CA.

Over his career, he competed in eight FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation) Masters World Championships and won Gold 33 times.