1918
Lowell
2015
Lowell Graves
December 31, 1918 — October 8, 2015
Lowell P. “Jim” Graves, 96, of Prairie Village, died on Thursday, October 8, 2015. He was the last of the four brothers who ran Graves Truck Line. The company, which started with a single truck in the 1930s, grew into a highly-successful freight-hauling business which operated for over four decades. Jim served on the board of the truck line and as first vice president until his retirement in 1982.
Jim was born December 31, 1918, on a farm in Saline County, Kansas. He was one of ten children of William Preston and Alice Grace (Hawn) Graves. Shortly after America’s entry into World War II, he was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Hawaii. He was wounded on Saipan and awarded with a Purple Heart. After his discharge in May of 1945, he returned to Salina and re-joined his brothers in the family trucking business. He married Wilda Jean McDermeit on April 10, 1948.
Throughout his 43-year career, Jim was an active participant in the growth of the trucking industry. He was a member of both the Kansas Motor Carriers Association and the Missouri Truck and Bus Association. He served on the Board of Directors of the Highway Carriers Association of Kansas City beginning in 1962, and held the office of president from 1966 to 1967.
During his retirement, Jim built a collection of antique cars and trucks which, at its peak, encompassed over six dozen vehicles. He loved tinkering with them and drove them in numerous parades. He also loved spending time with his family and at his vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Dwight L., William H., and John A.; and five sisters, Alice M. Ely, Ada L. Bennett, Marjorie G. Hamilton, Mary J. McLeod and Eleanor L. Murdock.
Jim’s memory will live on through his survivors, which include his wife, Jean, of Prairie Village; his daughter, Kathy Stafford and husband Richard of Jefferson City, MO; his daughter, Barbara Graves, of Prairie Village; a sister, Ruth M. Green of Longmont, CO; three grandchildren, James H. (Kim) Stafford of Wardsville, MO, Douglas W. (Amanda) Stafford of Columbia, MO, and Andrea Stafford of Brentwood, TN; four great-grandsons, Justin, Isaac, Rory, and Jace Stafford; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, at Johnson County Memorial Chapel and Gardens, 11200 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Asbury United Methodist Church, 5400 W 75th St, Prairie Village. Burial will follow in Johnson County Memorial Chapel and Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.
Jim was born December 31, 1918, on a farm in Saline County, Kansas. He was one of ten children of William Preston and Alice Grace (Hawn) Graves. Shortly after America’s entry into World War II, he was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Hawaii. He was wounded on Saipan and awarded with a Purple Heart. After his discharge in May of 1945, he returned to Salina and re-joined his brothers in the family trucking business. He married Wilda Jean McDermeit on April 10, 1948.
Throughout his 43-year career, Jim was an active participant in the growth of the trucking industry. He was a member of both the Kansas Motor Carriers Association and the Missouri Truck and Bus Association. He served on the Board of Directors of the Highway Carriers Association of Kansas City beginning in 1962, and held the office of president from 1966 to 1967.
During his retirement, Jim built a collection of antique cars and trucks which, at its peak, encompassed over six dozen vehicles. He loved tinkering with them and drove them in numerous parades. He also loved spending time with his family and at his vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Dwight L., William H., and John A.; and five sisters, Alice M. Ely, Ada L. Bennett, Marjorie G. Hamilton, Mary J. McLeod and Eleanor L. Murdock.
Jim’s memory will live on through his survivors, which include his wife, Jean, of Prairie Village; his daughter, Kathy Stafford and husband Richard of Jefferson City, MO; his daughter, Barbara Graves, of Prairie Village; a sister, Ruth M. Green of Longmont, CO; three grandchildren, James H. (Kim) Stafford of Wardsville, MO, Douglas W. (Amanda) Stafford of Columbia, MO, and Andrea Stafford of Brentwood, TN; four great-grandsons, Justin, Isaac, Rory, and Jace Stafford; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, at Johnson County Memorial Chapel and Gardens, 11200 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Asbury United Methodist Church, 5400 W 75th St, Prairie Village. Burial will follow in Johnson County Memorial Chapel and Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.
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