Dean Graves was born January 14, 1938 at Winfield, to Joe R. and Almeda G. Graves. He was raised on a farm 12 miles southwest of Oxford.
He attended Green country school…a little one room schoolhouse less than one mile from his home where he enjoyed 8 years of schooling with his brother, Stan; sisters, Joyce and Teresa and friends he cherished throughout his life. He graduated from Oxford High School in 1955; and from Kansas State University in 1961.
He entered into the family farm business with his dad. On January 1, 1964 he had his first date with his wife to be. He went to be with the Lord on December 31, 2021…57 years, 364 days from that first date. On July 25, 1964 he married Karen L. Bloss Townsend, and adopted daughter, Lisa Shaun. In 1966 they adopted a son, Michael Keith. The family lived on or near the farm for five years before taking a position with the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank in Wichita for a short period of time, then moved on to the position of Vice President of Kingman Production Credit Association in 1969, where he flourished loaning money to farmers. He loved that job. His knowledge of farming and his love for people combined to make him an excellent credit man. He became president of Kingman PCA within three years. In 1976 he was once again offered a position at the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank in Wichita and moved the family to Valley Center. He was Senior Vice President until retiring in 1999. At that point he made the decision to return to Oxford and fulltime farming, his first love, with his son, Mike. He was forced to retire from farming when his health began to decline in 2011.
He first accepted Christ as a teenager of 16. He rededicated his life in 1973 and began a journey along with Karen that changed the entire course of their lives. He never met a stranger and he wanted everyone he met to know his Jesus.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years; two children, Lisa Shaun Williams (Alan); and Mike Graves and beloved daughter-in-law, Shelly. Six grandchildren: Kara Franker (Jeremy), Andrew Wilson (Dorothy), Nicolle Wilson-Brown (David), Casi Short (Andy), Kylee Graves and Clint Graves. Six great-grandchildren: Beau Hamilton, Zoie Hamilton, Sienna Short, Lola Franker, Franki Wilson and Pierce Wilson. He is also survived by his sister, Joyce Smalley of Tulsa; and a brother, Stan, of Hood River, OR. and sister, Teresa Graves of Wichita along with many cousins, friends and special brothers in Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents; a half-brother, Bobby Joe Graves; brother-in-law, Wayne Smalley and sister-in-law, Mary B Graves.
He loved Jesus first; family, people, farming and sports especially Kansas State University Wildcats. He was one of the good guys. He was not perfect. He had character flaws just like we all do. But his love and caring for others was so much stronger than any flaw. He lived, loved and died well. He suffered well, he talked the entire time, he obtained his inheritance perfected in Christ Jesus.