Gary Edmund Graves

Gary Edmund Graves passed away comfortably surrounded by his family. He was a loving father, husband, brother and child of Christ. Gary was born on May 22, 1930, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Walter and Frances Graves.
Gary proudly graduated from the University of Michigan in 1952, and served in the U.S. Army for two years following graduation.
Gary married his loving wife, Susan Crosby, in 1961 and had three beautiful daughters.
He pursued a career in advertising, marketing and public relations for more than 40 years with companies and agencies in New York, Chicago and San Diego. In 1999 he joined Prudential CA Realty in San Diego as a broker, and he and his wife Susan were among the company's top producers until they retired in 2008.
After living in La Jolla and Lake San Marcos, CA for 38 years, Gary and his wife moved to Hillsboro, Oregon in December 2008, to be near two daughters and their families. They enjoyed visiting their youngest daughter and her family in Maui twice a year.
After retiring and moving to Hillsboro, Gary enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and attending their games and witnessing their accomplishments.
Retirement also gave him an opportunity to pursue music, an interest he shared with his wife. Gary was a member of the Hillsboro Presbyterian Church choir, the Hillsboro Senior Serenaders, and the Northwest Senior Theatre. Gary was also an avid Michigan Wolverine football fan. He and his wife enjoyed playing golf and bridge.
In addition to his wife, Susan, he is survived by his daughters Sally Steindorf (Scott) ; Beth Burke (Neal) and Janet King (Steve) and grandchildren Gary and Carly Steindorf; Annabelle and Ruby Burke; Maria and Sundi King. Other survivors include brothers Phil and Chris Graves, a sister, Jayne Stitt, plus aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces.
The family would like to offer a big thank you to OHSU and Providence St. Vincent's medical staff for the love and care they provided the last year of Gary's life.
A service and a celebration of his life will be held Saturday, November 29th at 2pm at Hillsboro Presbyterian Church. Gary's family will reunite in December to spread his ashes in one of his favorite places, Keawakapu beach in Maui.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Association or the Northwest Senior Theater.