Grady Wallace Graves

Grady Graves, 90, originally from Bremen, Alabama, passed away July 19, 2024 in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. Visitation will be August 2 at 9:00 a.m. with service at 10:00 a.m. at Spirit Baptist Church, W1601 State Highway 86, Spirit, Wisconsin. Interment with military honors will be at Northwoods National Cemetery, 4520 Lakewood Road, Harshaw, WI, at 2:00 p.m. Grady was born on March 3, 1934, to James Vernard and Lieutella Graves. He was a dedicated supporter of his country and served in the US Air Force for 26 years where he was fondly known as Grady P Whistle-britches Graves. Upon retirement, he lived for over 40 years in Mesquite, Texas, and was active in various ministries at First Baptist Church Sunnyvale. While serving in the Air Force, Grady frequently participated in rendering honors to other service members and was always active in his local church wherever he was stationed. Grady could be found most Sundays as a greeter and served as a deacon in many churches. He had a unique way of connecting with children and making them feel extra special. So much so, that when the family was living in Pennsylvania and again in Nebraska, the kids in the neighborhood would come over and ask his wife if her “boy” could come out to play with them. Grady and his wife, Florence, also had a special hospitality ministry with the young service members in their church – having them over after church for home cooked meals each Sunday followed by a day of visiting and fellowship within their home. It was through this relationship that many of them came to think of Grady as their “adopted” dad. That relationship was further endeared by Grady’s willingness to use his mechanical skills to help many young people rebuild the engines on their cars, usually just before a long trip “back home”.  Wherever Grady went, he was always known to tell jokes and funny stories. He had an uncanny knack of knowing how to deliver a punch line and could entertain you for hours with one funny story after another. His repertoire was extensive and was noticeably missed when Alzheimer’s Disease stole his memory.  

Grady was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Thomas Graves, JV Graves, Valetus Graves, and Norman Graves; and his sisters Symbol Johnson, Mamel Moehring, Flora Graves, and Lora Graves.

Left to celebrate his life is his loving wife of 69 years, Florence (Johnson) Graves; daughters Donna (Paul) Moore and Diana (Duane) Harper; many informally “adopted” children which included Skip Ellison of Maryland and Lynella DeVillier of Louisiana; grandchildren Heidi (Brandon) Messer, Joel (Vanessa) Moore, Anond (Jing) Sethabutr, Thawinun (Scott) Hruska, and Chonthicha Saengthapthim; 10 great-grandchildren; twin brother, Brady Graves; sister, Lieu Senn; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.nimsgernfuneral.com

Krueger-Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting the family.