GRAVES, Max Robert

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 08/12/2014 Max Robert Graves died July 30, 2014, peacefully at his home with Jean at his side. He was born May 30, 1934, in Jackson Country, Minn., to John A. and Myrle Graves. Max grew up on a farm in Melvin, Iowa. He joined the Army and was stationed in Germany with the military police, discharged in 1954. He married Jean Gathman Sept. 3, 1955. He graduated from Iowa State teachers college (University of Northern Iowa) in 1959 and taught school in Iowa until 1972. He headed for Arizona with two cars, two trailers loaded with everything he owned, along with his wife, five kids and the dog. Max discovered that he loved selling things and went into real estate, started a construction company and built four block plants in the next 35 years. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2007 and it changed his life. He is survived by his 101-year-old mother of Ankeny Iowa, wife Jean of Phoenix; daughters and sons-in-law Crystal and Kevin Kyle of Keizer, Ore., Becky and John Connelly of Show Low; and Barb and Bob Hatch of Phoenix; sister Margie Scranton; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his dad, John A. Graves, daughter Cynthia Lois Graves, son John William Graves, sister Leola Rozema and brother David Graves. A celebration of his life will be held from 4-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at Foothills Club West Clubhouse, 16414 S. 14th Ave., in Phoenix.