James Graves
The world has lost another of its greatest generation. After a peaceful passing at home surrounded by family, James “Jimmy” Nelson Graves, Jr., 96, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Sept 1.
He was born March 31, 1921 in Harwood, Texas, to James Nelson Graves, Sr. and Kitty Willie McCoy Graves. At age 17, James joined the Civilian Conservation Corps building state parks. He then joined the Marine Corps serving his country honorably for all 5 years of WWII. He retired as a firefighter for the Air Force.
James married Millie Kathleen Ellis, of San Marcos, on August 12, 1950 and celebrated 67 years of marriage on Aug. 12, 2017. Together they raised five children in Austin, Texas.
James loved to travel the Southwest with his family. A proud American and Christian, he loved to spread the word of God. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Marines never left him, as friends and family will attest.
Survivors include his wife, Millie K. Graves; daughters, Janice Kathleen Graves Rasmussen and husband, Craig, Jeanie Graves, and Mary Ann Graves Gordoa and husband, David; sons, James Nelson Graves, III, and John David Graves and wife, Janet; granddaughters Summer Dawn Graves Keatley and husband, Donn Bradford, Shawna Marie Graves and Erin Lynnette Howard; grandsons, Benjamin Ryder Howard and wife, Kelly, and Thomas Houston Howard and wife, Wendy; great-granddaughters, Sadie Emerson Keatley, Penelope LaNelle Howard and Lilith Jane Howard; and great-grandsons Cade Bradford Keatley and Desmond Ryder Howard. Also surviving are numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
James was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Judy “Baby” Abraham, Lillie “Sally” Graves, and Grace Senterfitt; and brothers T.W “Buddy” Graves and Cecil Clyde Graves.
Family and friends will pay tribute to James with Visitation on Thursday, Sept. 7 from 6 – 8 p.m. and Funeral Services at 1 p.m., on Friday, both at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, Texas. The service will be officiated by Pastor Bill Hart. Burial with military honors to follow immediately after services in the adjacent cemetery.
