NEWBERRY — Sammy Graham, 62, has retired from The Newberry Observer after 39 years. Graham started working at The Observer on April 16, 1979 and is retiring as the assistant pressroom manager.

In an article printed in 2014 about Graham, he said he was working at the National Guard Armory, and they had a small press out there and he was running it. One of his co-workers happened to mention that The Observer needed a pressman, so Graham spoke to J.W. Earnhardt Jr., the publisher at the time, and got the job.

During his time here at The Observer, Graham was part of the crew that moved the Goss Community Press to the building that currently houses The Observer. He said that was no easy task.

“We broke all the cement that night and then that Thursday we moved the press up here on a forklift and we had the press running that Friday morning,” Graham said in the 2014 article.

Graham is a product of Newberry County, graduating from Newberry High School in 1975. He married his wife, Mary Suber Graham, on August 27, 2005.

Graham grew up as the 11th child of 14, 10 boys and four girls. According to the 2014 article, his mother worked two jobs to take care of the family, and his older sister helped raise him and his siblings. Today, Graham is a grandfather.

“Sammy has been a valuable member of The Newberry Observer family for many years. While we are sad to see him retire, we are happy that he spent many years with the paper,” said Denny Koenders, publisher of The Newberry Observer.

Sammy Graham’s cake, recognizing his 39 years at The Newberry Observer.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_DSC_0779-1.jpgSammy Graham’s cake, recognizing his 39 years at The Newberry Observer. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Sammy Graham with his new Smoker, which was a gift from The Newberry Observer staff, for his 39 years with the paper.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_DSC_0780-1.jpgSammy Graham with his new Smoker, which was a gift from The Newberry Observer staff, for his 39 years with the paper. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@newberryobserver.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @ TheNBOnews.