"Tom and Marlene, I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my prayers. "
In loving memory of
James W. Graves
October 2, 1918 - May 14, 2018
JAMES GRAVES
MUSCATINE, Iowa - James W. Graves, 99, of Muscatine, passed away on Monday, May 14, 2018, at Premier Estates.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2018, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Ray Arp will officiate. Casket bearers will be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Burial will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2018, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Bloomington-Muscatine Friends Church in honor of James.
James was born on October 2, 1918, in Muscatine County, the son of John Ward and Mary Maude Klough Graves. He married Dorothy Zukasty on October 15, 1938, in Muscatine. She preceded in him in death on March 24, 2007.
He was a farmer his entire life. He attended Blooming-Muscatine Friends Church, and was a life-time member of Bloomington Grange, having held every position within the Grange and holding several offices in the state Grange Association. Following farming he played in a country blue grass band. He restored antique tractors and motorcycles.
Those left to honor his memory include two sons, Tom Graves and wife, Marlene, of Muscatine, and Larry Graves and wife, Joyce, of Mt. Sterling, Illinois; six grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 14 great great-grandchildren; one great great great-granddaughter; and a special niece.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and one sister, Edith Dunker.
Tributes
"Uncle Jim will be missed. His excitement sharing his music and his machines was contagious. What a wealth of knowledge. Tom, Marlene, Joel, & Todd, my sympathy to you all at this time. You are in our prayers. Keith Karlson"
"Tom and Larry, I thought the world of your Dad! He was such a help to me when I lived in his small house out on the farm! I enjoyed your Mom and Dad so much. Tom, I remember riding some of the many motorcycles he restored. When we were bailing hay it was pretty refreshing to go for a quick ride. You will be in my prayers! Marv Cooley "
"My dear Tom and Larry, what an important part of my life revolved around your Mom and Dad. I have so many great memories of the great food and friendship over so many years, even the "shade tree garage" where Pop and Jim repaired so many vehicles. Our parents had such a fond relationship with eachother and Jim and Dorothy were so helpful when my father "escaped" from the care center in Wilton and came knocking on their door. He knew just where to go to find his friends. Please know that your families will be in my thoughts and prayers as this sad time in your life passes on."
"Jim always had time for a young neighbor boy who had questions about fixing this or how to do that. I enjoyed his stories about his motorcycles and the history of the ones he was going to "get around to fixing" one day. Many many fond memories of Jim. "
"Jim was a special man with many talents. I will always have fond memories of Jim. He was a dedicated member of Bloomington Grange and he had quite an ear for music. Jim has missed 'the love of his life' for 11 years and they are having a joyous reunion. My sympathy to all of the family. Vickie"