Obituaries

John M. Graves

Photo of John M. Graves
Judge John M. "Jack" Graves, 86, of Camden passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at his home. He was born November 4, 1925 in Meadville, Pennsylvania. He was the son of the late William Malcolm and Margaret Rebecca Graves. Judge Graves was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church. He graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law and began practicing law in 1950. He was a former City Attorney and a former Prosecuting Attorney for the 13th Judicial District. He was elected Circuit Judge of the same district in 1973. He retired after 26 years on the bench in 1998. He served as President of the Arkansas Judicial Council in 1988-89. After his retirement, he was elected to life membership in 1998 and remained active continuing to hear cases on assignment by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He also served on the Arkansas Judicial Retirement System Board of Directors for many years. Jack is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Maurice Graves, of Camden; four daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl and John Wilson and Pamela and Nick Pierce of Sherwood; Dawn and Wade Green of Camden; Tina and Randy King of Kilgore, Texas; 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his four siblings, and his son, John M. Graves Jr. Jack was a World War II Veteran serving in the United States Army Air Corps as a Ball Turret Gunner. He was awarded the Overseas Bar, Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal with two bronze clusters and the European African Middle Eastern Medal with three bronze stars. Visitation will be at Proctor's Funeral Home in Camden on Sunday, April 15, 2012 from 5-7 p.m. A Rosary Service will follow. A Funeral Mass will be held April 16, 2012 at 11 a.m. at St Louis Catholic Church. His six grandsons, John Lonzo Wilson, III, Brian Graves King, Tyler John Pierce, Justin Graves Pierce, Brett Nicholas Wilson, and Cheston Wade Green will serve as Pallbearers. The Graves Family wishes to thank Dr. Diane Wilder and staff of Little Rock Hematology/Oncology, Dr. Dan Martin, his primary physician, Ouachita County Medical Center staff, and Dr. Larry Braden, Elana Myers, and everyone at OCMC Hospice for the excellent care they provided. Jack and his family were always grateful for the many years of excellent care provided by Dr. Lowell Ozment, recently deceased. His family truly believes he had "nine lives" as he managed to live a normal life with numerous serious medical conditions, a testament to the wonderful care provided to him by his wife and many others. Memorials may be made to St. Louis Catholic Church, 202 N. Adams Avenue, Camden, Ark. 71701 or Ouachita County Medical Center Hospice, 685 California Avenue, Camden, Ark. 71701. To sign the online guest register, please visit www.proctorfuneralhome.com.

Published April 14, 2012

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