John Warren Graves, 86, of Falcon died on Oct.r 3. He was born June 27, 1933, in Ft Morgan, Colo.
Mr. Graves spent his early years in Fort Morgan then moved with his family to a ranch near Wheatland, Wyoming, in 1948. He graduated from Wheatland High School before attending Colorado State University. John joined the Army where he specialized in training sentry and attack dogs. He was honorably discharged in 1955.
Mr. Graves loved to fly having earned his pilot’s license in 1959. He flew a Cessna 172 and enjoyed competing in air shows.
East Otero School District R-1 board member 1967-1971.
He traveled the state shearing sheep, president of Colorado Wool Growers, superintendent of Ladies Lead at the Colorado State Fair.
“How The West Was Won” movie double for James Arness.
John spent three years in Ketchikan, Alaska as a school bus driver and tour bus driver for Princess Cruise Lines.
The two years in Chama, N.M. he was a hunting and fishing guide for Chama Land & Cattle.
Retired from D-49 Falcon School District after fifteen years as special needs bus driver.
He loved to help people. Loved to travel and take his kids on outings.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herb (Lois) Graves, sisters Lucy Flora, Jean Wiseman, and brothers Everett Willard Graves, Jim Graves.
John is survived by his spouse, Nancy Wesson; his children, four sons, Jerry (Emily) Graves of Big Timber, Mont., Tim (Lynney) Graves of Phoenix, Ariz., Brian (Laurie Valaer) Graves of Denver, Colo., Robert Graves of Colorado Springs, Colo., two daughters, Mikki (Mike) Martin of Buena Vista, Colo. and Terry Graves Traughber of Buena Vista, Colo.; grandchildren, Jason (Margo) Anderson, Jordan (Jesse) Graves, Jerick (Katie) Graves, Callee Moran, Mike (Natalie) Martin, Bri Anna (Ryan) Bierma, Corinne Graves, Kyle (Katie) Traughber, Shane Traughber; many great-grandchildren; and the mother of his children, Calista “Billie” Graves.
John is also survived by three stepsons, Ronald (Therese) Wesson of Falcon, Colo., Randall Wesson of Falcon, Colo. and Jonny (Megan) Frank of Albany, Ore.; twelve step-grandchildren; and fifteen step-great-grandchildren.
Visitation, 5 - 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 11, The Springs Funeral Services, 3115 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80909.
Funeral Service, 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, First Friends Church, 2748 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80909.
Interment, Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expressway, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in John’s memory to Prostate Cancer Awareness or to Quaker Ridge Camp & Conference Center, Woodland Park, Colorado.
Arrangements by The Springs Funeral Services, tsfs.co.
