Charles ‘Chuck’ Graves, 79

Memorial services for Charles Wayne “Chuck” Graves, 79, of Republic will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2019, at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Ava with Justin Bassett officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time Saturday at the funeral home. Mr. Graves died July 9 with his family by his side.

He was born Aug. 22, 1939, in Thornfield, the son of Euel Thomas Graves and Mildred Thelma Delp Graves. He grew up in Thornfield and attended school there through eighth grade then was proud to be an Ava Bear at Ava High School as one of the only 6-foot 200-pound freshmen. Later in life he would often review his old DOCOMO Ava High School yearbook to reminisce about the past and remember the names and faces of friends from school and teammates on the basketball court and the football field.

In 1958, he married Anna Jo Giffin, the lovely AHS homecoming queen. Never afraid to step out on faith and try for a new job or move where he was needed, Mr. Graves worked as a lineman for Kansas City Power & Light, and General Telephone. In 2002, he retired as testing manager with Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives in Jefferson City.

On May 20, 1995, he married Ruth Knipp Monks, and they shared many adventures on their pontoon boat and later many quiet evenings watching the sunset from their back porch in Republic accompanied by the notorious pup Spencer. Mr. Graves loved his family and will be sorely missed. His roots ran deep, and he is remembered by many relatives, neighbors, coworkers and friends.

 He is survived by his wife, Ruth; daughter Charla Jo Shull; sons Wade Graves and wife Cheri, and Bryan Graves and wife Susie; step-children Amanda Sizemore, Molly Smugala, Todd Monks and Trent Monks and their spouses; 20 grandkids and 16 great-grandkids; his brothers James Graves and wife Maxine, and John Graves and wife Jeanette; and his sister Carol Breid.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Anna Jo; a grandson; and great-grandson. 

Burial will be in the Thornfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Thornfield Cemetery, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be expressed at made at clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.

Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, directors.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423