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Charles Graves Obituary
Charles Haydn Graves, beloved husband of Meridel J. Graves of Raymond, Alberta, passed away in Lethbridge, Alberta on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at the age of 84 years. Besides his loving wife Meridel, Charles will be dearly missed by his children Jacqueline (Shane) Kelly of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Sharlene Graves of Raymond, Alberta, Jason (Christina) Graves of Raymond, Alberta, daughter-in-law Michele Graves of Raymond, Alberta and His Sister – Ann Grove from Lewistown Montana. He is also survived by his twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Grandchildren:
Haydn Graves (Kristy)
Hunter Graves (Grace)
Porter Graves (Sydney)
Parker Graves (Katie)
Tia Graves
Taylor Hanson (Cody)
Abbygail Graves
Ava Graves
Savannah Graves
Gabrielle Graves
Charles Graves
Theresa Green (MacDonald) (Michiel)
Great Grandchildren:
Agatha Graves
Ellie Graves
Christopher Green
Katrin Green
Henry Green
Laura Green
How do you describe such a diverse human being. Chuck was able to be part of any group, discuss any subject, and converse about any idea. He was widely read and included in his reading was the National Geographic magazine. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish, photograph the natural world, find out about birds and otherwise be up on current and past events.
In his early years, he could be often found working in the fields of Warden, Montana with his father then by late evening he was at a dance far from home. Chuck tells of a time in Yellowstone National Park, when he brought a valve wheel to the Old Faithful Geyser. Since the Geyser was so predictable, when the Geyser started to blow, he and a friend could be seen feverishly opening the valve, then when it started to die down, you could see him feverishly closing the valve. He ended up getting kicked out of Yellowstone as he was trying to spoof all the tourists at the time and the Park Rangers were not happy with him. The funny part was he was working at Yellowstone at the time so in order to get back into the park he had to race around to another entrance, so he was not late for work.
He did have great compassion for his fellowmen as he often was found providing service. When you mentioned you needed something, he would assist even to find jobs, homes etc. – he usually found a way to help you. He was not shy about letting you know what he found either. In fact, he was trying to set his daughter up with his hospital roommate on the day before he passed away.
When Chuck and his family moved from Pasco, Washington, where he worked on the railroad, to Fort McMurray Alberta, he found a great place to call home. He and his wife had 2 additional children in Fort McMurray, (Kevin was born during hunting season) and they made the Clearwater River valley their stomping grounds. He worked at GCOS (Suncor) then began his profession as a Hunting Guide. He did have hunters from as far away as Germany, Hungary, and the Canary Islands to name a few. He also provided jet boat tours and took people from all over the world out to see the Northern Lights in Fort McMurray.
He has so many stories to tell about living in this area from helicopters picking up moose for him, to bears walking up to him, to his friends from Fort Chipewyan, to being on the rivers, living off the land, canning, cooking, just building a better life for his family. His family believes they were saved many times by the way they lived.
When he moved from the town of Fort McMurray onto an acreage, just 5 miles outside of town, they built a log cabin, with no running water, electricity, or telephone. Since there was no telephone, the local RCMP had to find the family and they let him know Meridel’s brother Ron had passed away. He would often be found puttering around the land, getting lake trout shipped in from Fort Chipewyan to sell on the street corner, building a market garden, creating a local farmers market, building a boat, setting up a generator shed, building a cabin, going to the creek for water, building a pen for chicken and rabbits. What people consider toys like: trikes, quads, boats, were our family’s workhorses, used for all the chores we needed to perform.
He served on the Fort McMurray Visitor Tourism board and worked with the centre to bring more tourists into the area.
He was raised in a Methodist home to wonderful compassionate parents, Indabel and Walter. He became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fort McMurray with Shirley Crout and George Patrick.
Once retired he moved with his wife Meridel, to Raymond Alberta on an acreage outside of town. He did get involved with the Raymond Library Board, and the Raymond Chamber of Commerce. In fact, he was part of the reason the Chamber began having its annual trade show, which has been a great ongoing success. He has been on many trips to the mountains, found places to fish, eat ice cream and to travel to. He does love Root Beer which he often received from his grandchildren to tease each other as to who was the most loved. We will be serving floats at the luncheon to follow the Funeral in honour of Chuck so please come, we would love to visit with you.
We would like to express our gratitude to all the medical professionals for both this time in the Chinook Regional Hospital but also throughout his life to keeping Chuck here on the earth. Thank you!!!
Should you wish to join us for either the viewing or the funeral you are welcome to do so. The schedule of events: Viewing is August 14 6:30-8:00 pm and Funeral to be held on August 15, at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taylor Street Chapel, 221 North 400 West, Raymond, AB T0K 2S0 Raymond Alberta.
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May 25 1940 August 4 2024 84 Years Old
Death notice for the town of: Lethbridge, Province: Alberta
death notice Charles Haydn Graves May 25 1940 August 4 2024 84 Years Old
obituaries notice Charles Haydn Graves May 25 1940 August 4 2024 84 Years Old
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Charles Haydn Graves May 25 1940 August 4 2024 84 Years Old and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.