Clyde J “CJ” Graves, 82, of North Platte NE, died Sunday January 5, 2014 at the Cottage Grove Place Gardens in Cedar Rapids, IA after a prolonged illness.
CJ was born on December 5, 1931 in Fullerton Nebraska, to Clyde James and Gwendolyn Blanche (Thomas) Graves. CJ attended school and graduated from Fullerton High School in 1950.
CJ was employed by Black’s Grocery store in Fullerton until 1951 when he went to work for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company.
CJ was drafted during the Korean conflict and served 2 years in the Army from 1952-1954 in the Chemical Corps. After the service CJ returned to Northwestern Bell and retired on March 1, 1990.
CJ married Margaret Ann Wallace at Lexington NE on March 17, 1956. CJ and Margaret lived in Grand Island, O’Neill, Gothenburg, and North Platte NE.
CJ loved golf, camping, fishing, hunting and Husker football. CJ belonged to the American Legion, the Telephone Pioneers, and the Lake Maloney Golf club.
After retirement CJ and Margaret spent their winters at Split Rail RV Park in Mission, Texas. After retirement CJ and Margaret travelled extensively throughout the United States in their RV and attended many Telephone Pioneer rallies.
CJ is survived by his son Richard “Rick” (Crystal) Graves; his granddaughter April Clare of Robins IA; his brother DG (Elaine) Graves of Cottonwood Az, his sister-in-law Ruby (Joe) Graves of Grand Island NE, his sister-in-law Marilyn (Ken) Kring of Lexington, and brother-in-law Bob (Sue) Wallace of Kearney.
Preceding him in death, were his wife, Margaret; his parents; brothers Gerald “Joe” and Charles “Chuck”; sister-in-law, Barbara Graves; and brother-in-law, John Wallace.
Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday March 22, 2014 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte. Visitation, with family present, will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday before the service. A private family inurnment will be at the Robb Cemetery south of Lexington NE on March 23.