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Memorial services for Michael Glenn Graves, age 69, of Crawford, NE will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron with Dr. Russ Seger officiating.

Burial will be at a later date at HighlandCenterCemetery in Chadron, NE.

A memorial has been established. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com.

Michael was born on June 4, 1946 in Whitter, CA and passed away on January 22, 2016 at the Chadron Community Hospital from health complications. He married Sally Louise McDuffie of Alliance, NE in 1967. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, father Vernon Eugene Graves, mother Anna Mae Graves, son Keary Landon Graves, four aunts and their husbands, and one cousin.

Survivors include wife of 48 1/2 years Sally Graves of Crawford, NE, brother Patrick Graves & family of San Rosa, CA, aunt Jolene Hancock, and numerous cousins.

Michael attended high school in La Habra, CA and graduated from La HabraHigh School in 1964. Then he attended Fullerton Jr.College in Fullerton, CA and AmericanGreen RiverCollege in Sacramento, CA. He went to the University of California at Davis to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Zoology.

Michael joined the Air Force in May 1965, spending three years stateside and the fourth year in the Philippians and Korea. He was released from duty in May 1969. During his time stateside, he was able to hold down a full-time job in a machine shop. After marrying in 1967, Michael continued to work in a machine shop and put in his time at March Air Force Base in Riverside, CA. After his discharge, he went to school part-time and worked in the machine shop. The decision was made that Sally would go to work, and he would attend college full-time. Michael and Keary spent many an hour at a desk while Michael studied and Keary colored. Michael took Keary to two lab classes a week at UCD, picking up tacos for Keary’s lunch. They rode bicycles all over town, because Davis was set up with bike lanes.

Michael became a boy scout as soon as he could. He enjoyed the hiking and camping that was such a big part of the troop’s activities. He one of the youngest in his troop to become an eagle scout. After college, he moved his family to Reno, NV, then accepted a job in Arkansas, moving his family again and becoming a scout master. He loved being a scout master and teaching the kids things he had learned as a scout.

Michael enjoyed hiking, backpacking and camping, seeing the Grand Canyon up close by hiking it and by mule, and two trips to Disney World. He spent many hours fishing but mostly bird watching. He was pleased that he was able to buy some land where he could live out his retirement with family. He loved Nebraska and taking pictures of it. He loved his family. Michael was a very gentle man and soft spoken.

Michael’s mother insisted his dad take him to work the summer he turned 16. Michael taught himself to program the N/C machine back when it was done with punch and tape. He worked in the machine shop the rest of his teens and early twenties after school and weekends and during the time he was in the Air Force. After completing college, Michael returned to programming.

Michael worked for 18 years as a computer programmer for the PACCAR Company founded in 1905 and known as the Pacific Car and Foundry Company in Seattle, WA. Later they became known as Paccar, combining the company from American Car acquired in 1934. Paccar is the parent company of Kenworth Truck acquired in 1945, Peterbilt Motors in 1958 and Dart Truck. The company’s structural steel division fabricated the steel for the building of the Space Needle in 1962 for the Seattle World’s Fair, playing a major part in the construction of Grand Coulee's third powerhouse and New York's WorldTradeCenter. Michael worked in the new location of Paccar built in Renton, WA. They also own Al’s Auto Supply and Grand Auto, Inc. with truck plants in Mexico, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium and England. Michael traveled often to the Canadian plant and the Mexico plant. He helped write the programs that cut dash panel designs, help design the frame rails and other parts for the trucks.

Michael came to Nebraska to visit with his wife’s family and fell in love with the Pine Ridge area. He decided to retire here, and after finding some land in the late 90s, he planned his retirement for 2002. After living in Auburn, WA for 18 years, he moved his family to the Crawford area. Michael was totally content to live in the ranching community, even though he did not ranch, where he enjoyed the quiet and beauty of the land. He grew up in the city, disliking every minute of it and could not wait to leave it behind.

Michael and his wife started a small home business, making metal signs. They have many in the area. He did the painting and clean-up to produce the finished work, and that’s when the machinist in him came out. It had to be as perfect as he could possible make it. He made signs for many years, slowing down when their son passed away, and then stopping altogether due to health issues.

He will forever be missed by his wife for the rest of life.

Chamberlain Chapel of Crawford is in charge of arrangements for Michael Graves.