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In Memoriam

 

George Wallace Graves, Jr.
George Wallace Graves, Jr.
 



Virginia - George Wallace Graves Jr., known as Mike, of Roanoke, died Monday, January 13, 2014 at Pheasant Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was 95.

 

Born in Norfolk, the son of the late Mary Leona Graves and George W. Graves Sr., he attended schools in Norfolk and elsewhere. In a national competition, he won a presidential appointment to the U. S. Naval Academy; he completed his undergraduate education at the College of William and Mary. A fighter pilot in World War II, he was stationed in England with the Royal Air Force, and later in the Pacific with the U. S. Navy.

 

He lived in Norfolk more than 50 years before moving to Roanoke eight years ago. He briefly taught math at Craddock High School in Portsmouth.

 

An avid reader and collector of books, he was admired for his extraordinary intelligence, lifelong learning and wide-ranging interests, particularly current events.

 

He leaves his wife of 65 years, Ruth Darres Graves, a retired registered nurse; a daughter, Kathy Graves Stockburger (Bruce Stockburger) of Roanoke, and four sons, George W. Graves III (Pamela Luecke) of Lexington, Frederick Graves (Sue Niemann) of Seattle, Joe Graves (Elizabeth Graves) of Yorktown, and Christopher Graves (JoAnn Ward) of Washington, D.C.; eight grandchildren, Katherine Parrish (David Parrish) of Roanoke, Lauren Eells (Austin Eells) of Roanoke, Michael Stockburger (Jill Stockburger) of Memphis, Whitney Martz (Matthew Martz) of Washington, D. C., Sophie and Julia Graves of Washington, D.C., Taylor Breen (Conor Breen) of Fredericksburg, and Lisa Niemann (Colt VanderVliet) of Seattle; and six great-grandchildren, Tucker and Wyatt Eells of Roanoke, and Mae, Whitt, Bruce and John Stockburger of Memphis.

 

The family thanks Good Samaritan Hospice for its care, and asks that any contributions be made to it at 2408 Electric Road, Roanoke, 24018. Visitation will be Thursday, January 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, 318 West Church Ave. , (540-982-2100), www.oakeys.com

Published in The Virginian Pilot on Jan. 15, 2014