In Memory
In Memory of Mendal Lamar Gragg
November 16, 1928, Nebraska - May 10, 2010, Kennewick, WA
Mendel Lamar Gragg, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away on May 10, 2010. He was born November 16, 1928 to Forrest Robert Gragg and Edna Baker Gragg in Stockton, Nebraska. He married Delia Dawn Knapp on January 22, 1950 in Kennewick, Washington.
Mendel briefly attended Eastern Washington University after graduation from Kennewick High School in 1946. He returned home after his father's death to care for his mother and the family farm. He obtained an Associate's Degree from CBC. Mendel worked on the Hanford Reservation Project; first for General Electric Co. and finally for Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories. He began his career as a purchasing agent and became a founding member of the minority recruitment program for Battelle. His work took him all over the country and was nationally recognized as a model for providing opportunities for minorities to excel in sciences.
Mendel came to believe in The Lord Jesus Christ as a young adult. Upon retirement he devoted himself to the spread of the gospel. He served for several years as the regional director of the Jesus Film Project. The Jesus Film---a story of Christ from the Gospel of Luke---has been translated into hundreds of languages as a means to reach people around the world who have never heard the good news. Mendel had been a member for many years of the former First Baptist Church of Kennewick.
He was a devoted family man. His wife remembers him for his marvelous example of manhood in every area of life. His children and grandchildren remember him for his zest for life and as a man of utmost integrity. He could always be depended upon to give sound advice and godly counsel.
He is survived by his wife, Dede; daughter, Linda and her children Abby and Elliot Smith; son Forrest and wife Vickie and their children Alisha Robinson (Chris) and Mitch; great-grandchildren, Micah and Emeri Robison. He was favored with the friendship of Herman Jackson. He enjoyed the fellowship of his fellow Kiwanians.
Thank you Dr. H. Matt Smith for his kind care to Mendel.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 14th, 2010 at 1:00pm at Mueller's Chapel of the Falls, 314 West 1st Avenue in Kennewick, Washington.
1 Corinthians 2:9 – Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.