John William Graves Sr.

     John William Graves (AKA Johnny) moved from life on earth to be with the Lord on Dec 9, 2019. He was 95 years old.

     John was born November 21, 1924 in Dallas, Texas to his parents Elizabeth McCulloch Graves and John Washington Graves of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where he was raised.  Entering the Army in World War II, he served in the Transportation Corps, traveling eastward from Seattle, Washington and returning to Seattle from the West after a two year stay in Calcutta, India, unloading ships for the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations.

     Afterwards, he attended the University of Arkansas, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.

     While there, he experienced a “God Send” when he met Mary Ann Reeks one day while walking to class. They married in 1952 and celebrated their 63th anniversary in April 2015.

     John’s working life was divided between two companies. For twenty-three years, he was an engineer in several specialties at United Gas Pipe Line Company in Shreveport, La.  Following that, he was Director of Environmental Safety and Health Affairs for the Pennzoil Company in Houston, Tx for seventeen years. He retired in 1989.

      His religious life was also varied. He was raised as a Pentecostal at the First Assembly of God Church in Pine Bluff, AR. He became an Episcopalian in 1955. This mix was fruitful as he was called by the Holy Spirit to become a teacher of the Word, and taught Adult Bible Classes for approximately forty years.

     John is survived by his sons John Graves, Jr of Dothan, Alabama, Paul Graves and wife Sharon of West Chester, Pennsylvania, and daughter Elizabeth Gaspard and husband Greg of Houston, Texas, six grandchildren and a number of great grandchildren.

     John was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann Reeks Graves in 2015.

     A celebration of his “promotion” will be held at his Church of forty-six years, Church of the Ascension, Episcopal  (2525 Seagler, Houston TX) on Wednesday, Dec 18, 2019 at 10:00.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Church of the Ascension.