Charles “Pete” Graves, 87, of Gold Canyon, AZ, was born March 24, 1935 in Leon, IA, the sixth child of Earl and Nellie Ellars Graves. Pete would later become a big brother to four more siblings. He died on Tuesday April 12, 2022.
While Pete was growing up, the Graves home was always open to neighborhood kids to gather and choose sides for ball games of every sport. In the winter, just north of the home, the hill on Mill street was closed for sledding for the whole community. All this activity was probably why Pete was said to have never known a stranger.
Pete attended Leon schools and worked for various local businesses before going to Des Moines where he thoroughly enjoyed his job as a carpenter in the Des Moines Public School System.
Pete marred Dorothy McDonald of Chariton and they shared 59 years together.
Preceding him in death were seven of his siblings: Betty Frost, Lous Gillham, Katherine Cox, Earl Jr., Jack, Bill and Dennis.
Pete is survived by his wife Dorothy of the home, sister Vera Mills of Cape Coral, FL, and locally, sister Sharon and Dennis South; nephews Mike Frost and Kevin Frost all of Leon and their families. Numerous nieces and nephews and many, many friends.
When days are sad and lonely and everything is going wrong; remember God is with you, “cheer up and carry on.”
Memorials may be made to the Gold Canyon United Methodist Church.