Jerry Graves' Obituary
Jerry Ervin Graves, son of Roy Newton and Wilma Gladys Tribble Graves, was born May 25, 1936, near Phillipsburg, Missouri. He departed this life Saturday, August 9, 2008, in Phelps County Regional Medical Center, in Rolla, Missouri, at the age of seventy-two years, two months, and fourteen days. On September 21, 1957, he was united in marriage to Remonia Lee Frederick, and to this union one daughter and two sons were born. His parents preceded him in death. Jerry is survived by his loving wife of almost fifty-one years, Remonia, of the home; a daughter, Darla Palmer, and her husband, Ronald, of Steep Falls, Maine; two sons, Douglas Graves, and his wife, Kelley, of Chesapeake, Virginia, and David Graves, and his wife, Lori, of Fenton, Missouri; four grandchildren, Zachary, Samantha, McKenzie, and McKayla; a brother, Jack Graves, of Phillipsburg, Missouri; three sisters, Janice Kilson, and her husband, Jerry, of Russellville, Missouri, Donna Graves, of Phillipsburg, Missouri, and Sherron Gillham, and her husband, Ken, of Strafford, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; his father-in-law, Claudie Barber, of Lebanon, Missouri; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. He was born and raised in the Phillipsburg community, and graduated from Phillipsburg High School. He then earned his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. He served his country faithfully in the United States Navy for three years during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he began a career in the aeronautics field, first, with Boeing Corporation in Wichita, Kansas from 1957 until 1960, and then with the Federal Aviation Administration in Springfield, Missouri for several years. The family then moved to Topeka, Kansas before making their home in Castle Rock, Colorado, while Jerry continued working for the F.A.A. for a total of twenty-five years, retiring in 1983. Later, he went to Saudi Arabia, where he was the training coordinator for the Bendix Corporation for two years. He and Remonia eventually made their home in Rolla, Missouri. Jerry made his profession of faith in Christ and was baptized in Phillipsburg, Missouri. Wherever he and Remonia lived, they were active members of a Christian Church, and Jerry was currently a member of First Christian Church in Rolla. He greatly loved reading and studying his Bible. He was also a member of the Korean Veterans Association in Rolla. Late in his life, he attended auctioneering school, earned his license and enjoyed auctioneering as a hobby. He liked camping and traveling and had visited twenty-seven countries and forty-nine of the fifty United States. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Services will be held at 11:00 am Tues. August 12, 2008 at the Holman- Howe Funeral Home, Lebanon. Visitation will be one hour before the service at 10:00am under the direction of the Holman- Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. A memorial has been established to the Show Me Christian Youth Home. Donations may be made through the funeral home. Return to top
What’s your fondest memory of Jerry?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jerry?
Share a story where Jerry's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jerry you’ll never forget.
How did Jerry make you smile?