Perry H. Graves Jr.

Perry H. Graves Jr., 94, died of natural causes Saturday September 29, 2012 at Hospice House in Bend Oregon. He was born in Champaign, Illinois June 11, 1918 to Perry Graves Sr. and Marvel White Graves. Raised in Robinson, Illinois he attended the University of Illinois and graduated with a BS in Geology. He was commissioned in June 1941 and assigned to the Artillery in the US Army. Stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma he married Clara Mae Walker of Lawrenceville, Illinois. While supporting the 9th Infantry Division against Rommel in North Africa Captain Graves was wounded near Gafsa, Tunisia at which time he was awarded a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. He later was with the 44th Infantry Division in France and Germany during the final days of the war in Europe. Captain Graves was with the 5th Regimental Combat Team(5th RCT) in Korea. The 5th RCT was out of Schofield Barracks in Hawaii and was one of the first reinforcements to reach Korea after North Korea invaded in 1950. During the campaign to retake South Korea Capt. Graves received a second Silver Star for the defense of his Battery while being attacked by North Korean forces. In 1954 Major Graves left the US Army and returned to Robinson to manage the family building materials business. Perry and his wife Clara M. Graves retired to Bend, Oregon in 1983. While in Bend, he was an avid hiker and skier as well as a volunteer for the Forest Service and on the board of the Bend Parks and Recreation Foundation. He was a member of the Central Oregon Military Officers Association. Perry Graves Jr. is survived by his wife, Clara Graves of Bend, Oregon; son Hank Graves and wife, Pat of Robinson, IL ; son, Douglass Graves of Belgrade, Montana; daughter Leslie Ann Olson and husband Jim of Bend, Oregon, sister Julia Roberson of Robinson, Illinois, brother Howard Graves and wife Audrey of Prescott, Arizona five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Dennis Graves of Goochland County, Virginia and two brothers; Dean Graves and Parker Graves of Robinson, Illinois. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 27th from 3-5 pm at the Bend Senior Center in Bend, Oregon. Memorial contributions can be made to Partners in Care or the Central Oregon Nordic Club for the Swampy Shelter. Funeral Home: Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home New 105 NW Irving Ave Bend, OR US 97701

Tributes

Perry H. Graves Jr.

June 11, 1918 - September 29, 2012