Jessie GRAVES

Harold
SERGEANT US Army
Korea
January 29, 1931 - August 28, 2021

*Obituary
Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Sunday, September 5, 2021

Harold Eugene Graves, born in Woodstock, Vt., on January 29, 1931, Harold was the oldest son of Harold and Emma (Durrum) Graves. Whether you called him Harold, Hal, or Bud, he was always happy to have you call him a friend.

After graduating from Woodstock High School, Harold served in the US Army from 1949-1953 and fought in Korea during the war. He returned to VT where he met and married Jessie Downing in 1954, then they headed to CA in a 1935 Ford convertible with a rumble seat. He graduated from Pacific States University in 1959 with a degree in Electronic Engineering and began a long career in the Aerospace industry, including work on the Space Shuttle and Cruise missiles utilized in Desert Storm.

In 1968, the couple moved to NH to raise their two children. Harold worked on several projects for the FAA, was a volunteer Ambulance driver, member of the Lions Club, and taught a mechanics class for a local school. They returned to CA in 1982 where he worked for General Dynamics until retiring in 1992. He continued his work with electronics by refurbishing computers to donate to schools in Mexico and teaching computer classes at a local community college.

When Jessie's health declined in 2016, they moved to AR to be near their daughter. After her death in 2017, Harold moved to Brookstone Assisted Living in Fayetteville, where he considered the residents and staff his second family. He enjoyed an active life until suffering a stroke in July. He died at Jamestown Nursing and Rehab in Rogers, Ark., on August 28, 2021. Quick to smile or tell a joke, his cheery disposition will be missed by all.

Preceded in death by his parents, sister Norma, brothers Bill and Dick, and his beloved wife Jessie, he is survived by son Brian of Opelika, Ala.; daughter Susan (Geof) Schroeder of Springdale, Ark.; brother Phillip of Bumpass, Va.; sister Julie (Bill) Miller of Laurel, Del.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

A military service to include the double interment of Harold and Jessie will take place at a later date.

Jessie
October 5, 1924 - April 30, 2017

*Obituary
Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Sunday, May 7, 2017

Jessie D. Graves, 92, formerly of Escondido, Calif. passed away Sunday, April 30, 2017 at Shiloh Nursing & Rehab in Springdale from complications of dementia. Born Oct. 5, 1924 in Haverhill, N.H., to Charles and Gladys (Carr) Downing, she was the second of four daughters and one son.

Jessie had a number of occupations including woolen mill weaver in Quechee, Vt.; telephone service representative in White River, Vt., and Los Angeles, Calif., Avon sales representative in Southern N.H.; sales clerk and assembly technician, both in Milford, N.H.; and finally, dining room hostess at Carl's Jr. Restaurant in Escondido, Calif., from which she retired. She was also a bell ringer for The Salvation Army in Escondido, Calif., for many years.

Generous would be an appropriate description for Jessie, always putting the needs and wants of others ahead of her own. One of her favored charities was Covenant House, Los Angeles, Calif., a home for displaced young people. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Harold Graves; a son, Brian A. Graves of Opelika, Ala.; a daughter, Susan Schroeder of Springdale, Ark.; one granddaughter; six grandsons; one great-grandson, and one sister, Myrtle Cole of Warnerville, N.Y.

At her request, no services are being planned. Cremation services are being performed by Smart Cremation.

Contributed on 2/22/23 by judyfrog
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Record #: 1472372

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