James "Jim" Graves

James Gorman Graves (Jim), age 85, passed peacefully from the burdens of this world and into the arms of our Lord, on April 7, 2024; one day after his 38th wedding anniversary to his devoted wife, Myrna, and one day prior to his 86th birthday. Jim was born to Gorman and Mildred Graves on April 8, 1938 in Ithaca, N.Y. After graduating high school, Jim briefly attended State University of New York, Broome College, studying to become an electrical technician. In 1962, Jim was inducted into the United States Army where he served until honorably discharged in 1964. He further served in the U.S. Army Reserve until 1968. In the years following his military service he married, raised two daughters, and steadily worked in various vocations related to building maintenance. Jim never shied from work or travel to do so, working in various states including 14 years at Cornell University, Westinghouse in Mansfield, Ohio, Ohio Steel Tube, and a few others before settling in Columbus, Ohio at Grant Hospital, where he worked for over 9 years and met Myrna. Prior to retiring in 2002, Jim briefly worked for Showa Aluminum before convincing Myrna they could live out their dream to move to Maine in retirement. For the next eight years the two of them loved, laughed, and lived their best life together. Jim was a man of many interests and was generally curious about all things. A ferocious reader of books, Jim would investigate a topic until he was suitably knowledgeable and would delight in conversation with just about anyone regarding just about anything. In his spare time, Jim enjoyed watching auto racing, photography, travel, and conducted extensive research of genealogy. Jim was a man of good humor and cheerfully socialized with all who met him. His friends were lifelong and his unwavering love for Myrna was unquestionable. Besides “I love you,” his favorite saying to her was, “Who am I without you?”

Jim is preceded in death by his mother, Mildred, and father, Gorman Graves. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Myrna K. (Maag) Graves; brother, Donald (Don) P. Graves; sister, Patricia (Gary) Coager; niece, Colleen (Bill) Langlois; daughters, Debra Graves and Kim Graves; grandchildren, Sierra Clute, Brandon Clute, Dallas (Cassie) Clute; stepdaughter, Traci (Steven) Rodenfels; stepson, Steven E. Lowe, and granddaughter, Kaitlynne M. Lowe.

Family and friends may visit from 10:00 – 11:00 am on Friday, April 12, 2024 at Pataskala United Methodist Church, 458 S Main St, Pataskala, OH 43062. A funeral service will take place at the churtch beginning at 11am on Friday, April 12, 2024. Funeral services at Pataskala United Methodist Church will be followed by interment services at Lithopolis Cemetery Chapel Mausoleum, 4365 Cedar Hill Road, Canal Winchester, OH 43110. Online condolences can be found at spencefuneralhome.com.