Richard “Dick” T. Graves Jr.
Richard “Dick” T. Graves, Jr., 78, passed away on April 26, 2013, surrounded by his family. He was born July 30, 1934, to Mildred and Richard T. Graves, Sr.
A lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Dick graduated from Shortridge High School in 1952. He attended Indiana Central College where he played football. Military service included time on the USS Coates DE 685 and the US Darby DE 218, where he was a Gunners Mate. After military service, he worked at Western Electric as a section chief until the last doors closed in the Indianapolis plant. In “retirement” he worked for the State of Indiana as a Home Inspector for Section 8 Housing. He later served as the Director for the Indiana Commission of Public Records, supervising the micro graphics lab for nine years. During this time, he served as the President of the Midwest Micrographics Association. He later served as the Director of Federal and State Surplus Property, and President of the NASAP- National Association of State Agencies for Surplus. Working as a paperboy to his untimely death, Dick never retired as he enjoyed part-time work at Sharp Parts until February of this year. Dick Graves never knew a stranger. Always a sportsman, he was an avid fisherman, hitting the waters for smallmouth bass at Dale Hollow Lake, to Sailfish in Mexico. Dick played intramural hockey with the “Warriors” and drove stock cars at the 16th Street Speedway track, and was a bowler with the Western Electric bowling league. He embraced the importance of Volunteerism. In his youth, Dick was a member of the Gorman Boys Club and was a camp counselor. He attributed his work ethic and moral solitude to the mentors he had during that time. In adulthood, Dick coached Warren Township Little League baseball and football. He was the Vice President of Chrysler Irvington Little League, and one of the founding members of the Miramar Basketball League for boys and girls. He was a member of Little Flower Catholic Church in Indianapolis.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jessie Jean Harvey; two children, Dawn (Jeffrey) and Rick (Kim); four grandchildren; brother, Robert J. Graves (Barbara Trent); and sister, Mary Graves Morgan.
Visitation will be from 4 – 8 p.m., Monday, April 29, 2013, at Oakley Hammond Funeral Home, 5342 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46219. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at Little Flower Catholic Church, 4720 E. 13th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46201.
Memorial contributions may be made to Little Flower Catholic Church.
