Dr. Nancy Graham passed away peacefully in November, 2022, she was 86. Nancy received her undergraduate degree from Washington State University. After earning her master’s and doctorate degrees at Penn State University, Nancy joined the Home Economics faculty at the University of Arizona from 1966-1971. It was there that she met her husband Gordon Graham, a professor in agriculture. From 1972 until her retirement, Nancy taught at Amphitheater High School.

Nancy was a founding member of the Norton Council of Alumni and Friends and, with her husband Gordon, established the CALES Burrito Breakfast. Nancy’s recipe served 800 to 1,000 burritos each Homecoming to earn scholarship money for students.   

In recognition of her life long service to students, colleagues, profession and community, Nancy received the CALES Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. She and Gordon have a bench, tree and tile on the University of Arizona campus to honor their contributions as devoted Wildcats.

The Norton School Council of Alumni and Friends has lost a truly special member and we send our deepest condolences to the entire Graham family.

Special thank you to the Graham daughters, Suzi & Bonnie for sharing Nancy’s breakfast burrito recipe:

4 large eggs
2T margarine
1 T green pepper, diced
1 T onion, diced
2 T canned green chile, diced
1 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Flour tortillas

Beat eggs slightly. Melt half of the margarine in a small skillet; saute green pepper and onion until onion is translucent. Add to eggs with chile and cheese. Melt rest of the margarine and add egg mixture; soft scramble. Heat Tortillas briefly on hot griddle; fill and roll.

2 servings with 10” tortillas
4 servings with 6” tortillas

Serve with salsa.

Don Butler passed away in March, 2023 at the age of 97. Don had a passion for agriculture and spent several years dedicated to the cattle industry.

Don graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in animal husbandry. He was a member of SAE fraternity and elected student body president. Don owned Coronado Cattle company, served as president of the AZ Cattle Feeders Association and was chairman of the board of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. He was president of the National Cattleman’s Association and served under Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush on the trade and negotiations committee. In 2003, he was appointed as Director of Agriculture for the State of Arizona. During his tenure as Director, he focused on improving food inspections. There was not a single food recall in Arizona during that time. He retired following his service.

Don received the Arizona Alumni Distinguished Citizen Award in 1987, the Agricultural Alumni Achievement Award in 1995, Centennial Achievement Award in 1998, the CALES Eugene G. Sander Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999 and the Arizona Alumni Centennial Award in 2007.   

Don Butler advanced agriculture for the state of Arizona and leaves a legacy of leadership. The College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences sends our deepest condolences to his wife Blue and their family.