Wayne Melvin Graves' Obituary
Wayne Melvin Graves, Sr. was born on May 12th, 1931 in Taft Texas to Arthur and May Graves. He died in his home, with his family by his side, on October 2, 2008. He graduated from High School in 1949 from Arroyo Grande High School in Arroyo Grande California. Dad enlisted in the US National Guard in July of 1949. He then served in the US Air Force from 1951 to 1964. Subsequent to his service in the Air Force he enlisted in the US Army where he served until his honorable discharge in July of 1972. Dad married the love of his life, Miriam (Mimi) Clarke Gray, in December of 1954. Dad was a man of duty to his family and his country. He served in Guam during the Korean conflict and had a tour of duty in Vietnam in 1966 with the 9th Infantry Division. He returned in 1967 and was stationed at Fort Lewis where he retired in 1972. After his retirement from the Army, he worked at American Mfg. in Tacoma where he retired in November, 1988. He was devoted to his family and will be remembered as a man who put his family before himself on all occasions. In his retirement, Dad and Mom were able to fulfill their lifetime ambition of traveling around this great country and visiting other parts of the world. They reveled in the interesting places they were able to visit and in the new cultures they experienced. Dad is survived by his wife Miriam C. Graves, Carolyn M. (Peter) Viser, Wayne M. Graves, Jr., John A (Kathy) Graves and Miriam L. (John) Tveit, grandchildren, Ian, Tyler, Michael, and Allie and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held in the Chapel at the Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Center, 1301 N. Highlands Parkway at 1:30 pm on Monday, October 13, 2008. Memorials in his honor may be made to St. Marks Lutheran Church 6730 N 17th Street Tacoma, WA 98406, Multicare Hospice P.O. Box 5296, MS: 409-1-0296 Tacoma, WA 98415 or Tacoma Lutheran Home Foundation 1301 N Highlands Pkwy Tacoma, WA 98406
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