James Martin Graves

June 16, 1938 - May 12, 2020

James Martin Graves passed May 12, 2020 at the age of 81. He was born June 16, 1938 in a cabin up Gopher Valley to LeRoy Graves and E. Anita Martin. He was the last surviving member of his generation to a historic Sheridan pioneer family.

He walked to school in the upper hills of Rock Creek for grade school and went to Sheridan High School. With his brother Bruce, he operated the Flying “A” service station in Sheridan. He worked at Champion Plywood in Willamina for many years. His favorite job of all though, was working for Graves’ logging as a cat skinner. Dad loved to be in the woods and missed the smell of the job site.

Health problems forced him into early retirement. Dad would spend his mornings getting up early so he could drive into town to make sure the grandchildren got to the school bus on time and with “freshly vacuumed hair”. He then busied himself helping the Togstad’s with maintenance at the storage units.

Dad was a great cook and taught us how without ever using a recipe, the old fashioned way. He always had a particular palate and he knew what good food was supposed to taste like. He loved to restore cars and old military vehicles. He loved to collect and sell guns and rifles, going to many a gun show, he also hunted. Model railroading, trips to the beach and family Chinese food dinners were some of his favorite things in his later years.

Dad was a story teller and a comedian. If you asked him anything, there was never any “yes or no” about it - you got a book. His timing to lambaste you with a ‘good one’ was impeccable. He never missed a beat. We will miss his humor; thank goodness he passed it on. He loved his kitties and had a few that were his heart, depending on the decade. Our cat brothers were Chopper, Putz, Claude C.H. Graves and Hobart. He loved nothing more than having a good conversation with a badly dispositioned pussycat.

Dad is survived by his four upright children, James M. of Sheridan, Robby of Port Orchard, WA, Melody Beebe of Poulsbo, WA and Jody Bales of Beaver, OR. He has 8 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.