James Graves
August 7, 1932 — September 4, 2018
James Graves
James Joshua Graves, 86, passed away September 4, 2018 at his home in Paron, AR. He was
born August 7, 1932 in St Louis MO to the late Sue and Tinnin Graves. James was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert, and grandson Joshua. He is survived by his children: Donna Taylor, Paron, AR; Deana Graves, Mayflower, AR; Jimmy Graves, Paron, AR; and Michael Graves and his wife Jenny McFarland, Seattle, WA.; 3 sisters: Martha Graves, Nashville, AR, Mary Vanderford, Paron, AR, and Jean Wimberly, West Columbia, TX.; 14 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. James graduated from Joe T Robinson when he was 16 years old- an accomplishment which he took great pride in and spoke of often. After leaving RHS, he immediately traveled to Colorado to work in a sawmill, the first of many jobs over a lifetime in which working hard was the main theme. Never one to be idle, he went where the work was- the oilfields of West Texas, the pipeline in Illinois and Alaska (where he earned the nickname "Greasy"), logging and
building houses in Central Arkansas, and later on as a Master Carpenter, remodeling Kentucky Fried Chickens in Arkansas and Missouri, building hog houses in Booneville, AR, and overseeing the construction of numerous homes in Sandpiper and many other West Little Rock neighborhoods. In the midst of his career as a contractor, he also managed to build and maintain Graves Grocery in Ferndale, AR, a small community gas station and grocery store near the Pulaski/Saline county line. In 1989, James left building completely and devoted himself entirely to excavation. Working as Graves and Graves Inc. he was among the first to break ground in Chenal Valley, The Ranch, and Brody Creek. In 2008 he left construction behind and retired to his farm in Clinton, AR. where he enjoyed raising cattle, hunting, and spending time on his front porch watching the sun rise and set over Wolverton Mountain. Aside from his love of hard work, James also loved his family. He said the only thing better than being a grandpa was being a great grandpa and for those lucky enough to call him "Papaw James" he was the greatest grandpa of all. Reception Visitation held 5:00-6:00 PM, with memorial following at 6:00 PM, Monday September 10, 2018 at Smith Family Funeral Home in Benton, AR. Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015
322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015
born August 7, 1932 in St Louis MO to the late Sue and Tinnin Graves. James was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert, and grandson Joshua. He is survived by his children: Donna Taylor, Paron, AR; Deana Graves, Mayflower, AR; Jimmy Graves, Paron, AR; and Michael Graves and his wife Jenny McFarland, Seattle, WA.; 3 sisters: Martha Graves, Nashville, AR, Mary Vanderford, Paron, AR, and Jean Wimberly, West Columbia, TX.; 14 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. James graduated from Joe T Robinson when he was 16 years old- an accomplishment which he took great pride in and spoke of often. After leaving RHS, he immediately traveled to Colorado to work in a sawmill, the first of many jobs over a lifetime in which working hard was the main theme. Never one to be idle, he went where the work was- the oilfields of West Texas, the pipeline in Illinois and Alaska (where he earned the nickname "Greasy"), logging and
building houses in Central Arkansas, and later on as a Master Carpenter, remodeling Kentucky Fried Chickens in Arkansas and Missouri, building hog houses in Booneville, AR, and overseeing the construction of numerous homes in Sandpiper and many other West Little Rock neighborhoods. In the midst of his career as a contractor, he also managed to build and maintain Graves Grocery in Ferndale, AR, a small community gas station and grocery store near the Pulaski/Saline county line. In 1989, James left building completely and devoted himself entirely to excavation. Working as Graves and Graves Inc. he was among the first to break ground in Chenal Valley, The Ranch, and Brody Creek. In 2008 he left construction behind and retired to his farm in Clinton, AR. where he enjoyed raising cattle, hunting, and spending time on his front porch watching the sun rise and set over Wolverton Mountain. Aside from his love of hard work, James also loved his family. He said the only thing better than being a grandpa was being a great grandpa and for those lucky enough to call him "Papaw James" he was the greatest grandpa of all. Reception Visitation held 5:00-6:00 PM, with memorial following at 6:00 PM, Monday September 10, 2018 at Smith Family Funeral Home in Benton, AR. Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
Reception Visitation
SEP 10. 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM (CDT)
Smith - Benton Funeral Home322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015
Memorial Service
SEP 10. 6:00 PM (CDT)
Smith - Benton Funeral Home322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015
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