Hugh Allen Graves, Jr.

Hugh Allen (H.A.) Graves Jr. peacefully passed away with his wife by his side on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.

H.A. was born on December 25, 1931, in Plano, TX, to Hugh and Ruth (Wilson) Graves. He lost his mother when he was two years old and was raised by his father and Grandmother Rowena.  His first jobs were throwing newspapers in the mornings and afternoons for the Dallas Morning News and Dallas Times Herald as a schoolboy.  Later in High School, H.A. worked as an usher at the Majestic Theatre in Downtown Dallas.  In his early 20’s he began a career at Dallas Power and Light that lasted for nearly 40 years until his retirement in 1991.  He proudly served in the Army Reserves for a number of years.  His most important job began on November 4th, 1955, when he became the husband to the love of his life Mary Ross Noble and later as a father and grandfather until his death.

They built their retirement home in Eustace, and H.A. became involved as a volunteer firefighter for the city of Eustace and served as the Chief for several years while there.  He also served on the City Council for Eustace for several years.

H.A. had a passion for cars, having owned many, including a ’32 Ford, ‘40 Ford, a ’48 Ford that in his rebellious youth drove to California and back by himself.  Later, he bought a brand new ’55 Chevy that he and Mary drove their newborn son home from the hospital in.  That started the tradition for the Graves’ boys of owning ’55 Chevys, which son and grandson own today.  He also had a passion for drag racing that has also been passed down to his son and grandson. He enjoyed gardening side by side with Mary, and any free time was spent fishing with his son.  He and Mary traveled to many places, with their favorites being New Mexico and Hawaii.

H.A. will be greatly missed as he had a great love for life and always had a smile on his face or a funny remark as well as his many adventures with his family and cars, especially his 1967 Camaro that he special ordered new and will be in the family for years to come. We will miss his kind and compassionate spirit.

H.A. is preceded in death by his father, Hugh Sr., his mother Ruth, and stepmother Dovie. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary, his son David and his wife Marlene; grandson Chris and his wife Tera; and step-grandson James and his wife Priscilla.   In lieu of flowers you may donate to the Eustace Area Volunteer Fire Department in honor of his service.