In Memory of

John

Russell

Graves

Jr.

Obituary for John Russell Graves Jr.

John Russell Graves, Jr. was born in Toledo, Ohio on April 25, 1945 to the union of John and Ada Beatrice Graves.
He served his country in the United States Army. During his time of service, he completed two tours in Vietnam, received his parachutist and sharpshooter badge, and ultimately receiving the Purple Heart Honor for being wounded in combat.
After serving in the Vietnam War, John attended Davis College, where he earned his Associate’s Degree in Business Management. He went on to work for the U.S. Postal Service, and retired from Chrysler Jeep in 2008.
In 1980 he met the love of his life, Valeria A. Williams. The two had a whirlwind courtship and were married on May 21, 1980. Their union lasted 36 years, and she remained by his side until his passing.
John departed this life on Sunday, September 10, 2017 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio at the age of seventy-two. He was preceded in death by his father John R. Graves, Sr. and mother Ada Beatrice Graves, siblings Barbara, Marlene, Orlando and Stanley Graves, and best friend William West.
John is survived by his wife Valeria A. Graves, his children Anthony (Benta) Graves, Sean Graves, Rahsaan (Emily) Graves, Aundrea (Rufus) Simmons, Rashida Graves, and baby girl Jamila Graves. Sisters Quintella Graves, Ronita (Jim) McCreary, Gwendolyn Jackson. Eleven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and a host of other loving relatives and friends.