AQHA is mourning the loss of American Quarter Horse Hall of Famer Dr. Charles W. "Doc" Graham, DVM. Dr. Graham, 92, of Elgin, Texas, was also an AQHA director-at-large. 

Dr. Graham passed away June 21, 2025, in his home in Elgin. He was born on July 13, 1932, in Thorndale, Texas, to parents, Wesley and Iva Lee Graham and brother, Billy Graham (deceased) and sister, Betty Lee Youngblood.

From his humble beginnings, Dr. Graham became a legend in multiple facets of the agriculture industry. All that knew him will have stories, which may bring a tear to the eye or a belly full of laughs. Elgin Veterinary Hospital, Southwest Stallion Station and Graham Land and Cattle Co., Heritage Place and Hamilton Commission Co. represent his business success. Dr. Graham's experience and leadership impacted horse owners, businesses and organizations, including the American Quarter Horse Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas Horseracing Association and many more.

Space does not allow a complete list of his accomplishments and recognitions. Please visit the following sites to learn more about Dr. Graham’s education, work ethic, tenacity and honors – American Quarter Horse Association, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M Institute for Equine Sciences, Texas Horsemen’s Partnership, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. His biography from the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame is reprinted below.

Dr. Graham is survived by his children: David Graham and wife, Gayle; and Donna Lee and husband, Calvin. Grandchildren: Tyler Graham and wife, Naia; Casey Graham Russell and husband, Colton; Callie Lee Domagala and husband, Matt. Great-grandchildren: Lincoln Prinz Russell, Cherokee Russell, Towns Russell, Calah Russell and Rainey Graham.

A visitation will be held at the Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home in Elgin, Texas, from 6-8 p.m. July 1. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. July 30 at the Travis County Exposition Center’s Luedecke Arena (home of Austin Rodeo) in Austin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Dr. Charles W. Graham to the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, (RTCA), South Texas Council, 1 Retama Parkway, Selma, Texas, 78154.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. Graham, please visit the funeral home's web page.

Dr. Graham's American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame biography, written upon his induction in 2009, notes that he knew exactly where he was headed in life, even while he attended veterinary school at Texas A&M University. His aim was to have a stallion station. In 1961, with the help of Dr. W. H. Cardwell, Dr. Graham established Elgin Veterinary Clinic and the Southwest Stallion Station. He has been co-owner of Heritage Place Sale Company in Oklahoma City since 1976 and purchased Graham Land and Cattle Co. in 1987. Dr. Graham’s operation supplied American Quarter Horses to the cowboys that work at Graham Land and Cattle Co. AQHA records show that, as of 2025, he bred 289 foals in his own name, in 46 foal crops. 

In leadership roles with the Texas Quarter Horse Association, Texas Thoroughbred Breeders Association and the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Graham helped the racing interest gain respect among legislators and voters alike. Dr. Graham, a fixture at Texas racetracks, bred 78 winners as of 2025, seven stakes winners and the earners of more than $1.4 million from 161 starters. Because of Dr. Graham’s work on AQHA’s Equine Research Committee and other related organizations, he was named an Adjunct Professor of the Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery at Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Graham’s lifestyle represented every facet of the American Quarter Horse. He was involved in every aspect of the Quarter Horse, from breeding, racing, performance and ranch horses, youth programs, horse sales and more. He was a member of the AQHA Equine Research Committee, a long-time supporter of the American Quarter Horse Foundation, and he continued to advise and enhance the knowledge and ability of each to perform and function at an exceptional level.

Dr. Graham was the only individual to serve as president for both the Texas Quarter Horse Association and the Texas Thoroughbred Association. He was also the only person to be selected as Horseman of the Year by both associations. In addition to the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, Dr. Graham is also a member of the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Dr. Graham’s other honors include the 2013 Texas A&M AgriLife Distinguished Texan in Agriculture Award, the 2010 College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Outstanding Alumnus Award, and the 1991 CVMBS Outstanding Alumnus Award.

In 2018, it was announced that the new, Canyon-based Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory would bear Dr. Graham’s name.

In addition to his renowned reputation in equine medicine, Dr. Graham was a leader in Texas’ horse and cattle industries and a tireless volunteer, advocate and youth mentor.