DONALD ALFRED GRAVES
Donald Alfred Graves was born June 2, 1923, in Kansas City, Kansas where he was raised and lived through his young adult life. He starred in basketball and baseball as a youth, and played on the 1941 Wyandotte High School state championship basketball team. Don, like so many young men in the “Greatest Generation” enlisted in the Navy upon graduating from high school and served in the Pacific theatre until the war’s end. While in the service, he married his high school sweetheart, Alice Cooper, and they were devoted parents and companions until her passing in 1979. They had three children, Donna, David and Dean. He returned home from the war and had a 25 year career with Western Auto Supply, where he was regional sales manager. He began a second career at the General Services Administration where he worked for 20 years before retiring.
Don met Rowena Wilson at GSA and they married and had a wonderful 37 year marriage. Ro passed away March 24, 2019. Ro’s children Cris, Marty, Lorie, Meg and Janel have been loving, caring stepchildren.
Don lived in Johnson County for nearly 60 years and was a member of Southminster Presbyterian Church. In addition to his daughter and two sons, he is survived by 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. In addition to Ro’s five children, Don had a number of step grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. “Papa” was a favorite of all, as he encouraged and supported his family and kept them on their toes with his wonderful sense of humor.
There will be private family service in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, Don requested donations be made to the Southminster Presbyterian Church. Condolences may be expressed at www.kccremation.com.
