I am still in shock. 
I don’t know where to start, but I had a lot firsts with Mike, and many great memories. He was my first love, and the father of my kids. I learned a lot from him throughout our 15+ years of being together.  
 He taught me how to paint, build cabinets with him, which he was a master at, and most everything I know about football, came from him. He even got me into Star Wars movies and Metallica.  We watched every Star Wars movie,more than once. We went to several Metallica concerts together, and typically our home  was filled with loud, 1980’s Bose speakers that would vibrate the entire house with Metallica or AC/DC songs blaring. 
He enjoyed going to the boys’ little league football games and managed the chains during the games. He was so proud of them  and enjoyed giving them a little advice after their practices. 
If he could have bubble wrapped Caitlin, when she was learning to walk, he would have, because he was so protective over her. He didn’t want her to fall and get hurt. 

Over the years, we experienced so much together. We had kids, got married , and built a home together.  I too, choose to remember the good things about Mike. We eventually went our separate ways, but I never stopped worrying about him. 

I am grateful for the memories that we made with each other. Husker games, video games, buying a home, and so much more.  

I pray with all my heart, that he is finally at peace.

Heard about Mike today at work got goose bumps all over ! Watched the funeral live stream and I'm so sorry to his family ! Damn, so hard to believe ! I worked next to Mike at Kay Dee . Mike was one of the most for real people I have ever met in my life ! At the service I heard somebody say Mike was talented , that man was an artist ! He talked about his family so much I thought I knew you guys ! The 3 kids is all he talked about you could see the love he had for you guys in his voice and eyes his whole being would change when we talked about you guys and I loved to listen  ! He was so proud of you guys ! To the first son that spoke at the service he loved you and your family more then you'll ever know my friend I'm witness to that, as well as the other two ! Glad I got to know him in the short time I worked with him !  Mike REST IN PEACE my friend ! 

I worked with Mike at HSS last summer. I was the young buck of the shop, but Mike was the first one to show me the ropes.  He was a jokester and so easy to get along with. Even on days I really didn’t want to talk to anyone he’d call over, “Hey Junior, let me show you something.” and he’d show me a new carpentry trick. We talked about Phoenix, movies, news... but the one thing he loved to talk about most was how proud he was of his son. I never met you, but your dad’s face lit up every time he’d talk about how much you kick his ass in video games. I hadn’t seen him since October but an old coworker linked me here and I wanted to share. He was a great guy to work with and I am very sad to hear of his passing.

Mike was my father-in-law. What I miss about him most was that he was a great grandpa and loved everything about it. He gave our son the name "round boy" and probably regrets that, because Oliver quickly returned the nickname. They both called each other round boy. But Mike didn't care, he just loved hearing his voice and always laughed at it. He spoiled our daugher, Brielle, as well. He would beg to take her places and we finally gave in and let him take her out to Applebee's. She wouldn't stop talking about how fun it was because they only ordered dessert. His favorite brownie that we'd share each time we went. He told Justin that he was buying her either a puppy or a phone and we needed to decide right then.  🤣 Mike also enjoyed his video games and would call Justin a lot to talk about them. One of my earliest memories is waking up at 6 am pregnant to the sound of him playing zombies in our apartment, only to become sick with morning sickness. He called me a "champ" because I would run to the bathroom sick and then be ready to go out to breakfast! I got some one-on-one with him when I flew out to California to surprise Justin. It was a secret and Mike picked me up from the airport so he could drive me to Justin. Mike was so excited to help plan this. And he was so protective of me, since I went to California alone and didn't get to see Justin until the next day. I remember he wanted to make sure we had a hotel that had a door in between the rooms to make sure I could knock if anything went wrong. When we drove to see Justin after getting breakfast, I told him I wanted to pop out of the trunk. He was so excited but wouldn't let me get in the trunk until we were less then a block away. 🤣 He was a protector. My best memories with Mike would be going to the husker games. We would go to Jersey Mike's beforehand. You could tell he loved it so much. He hated photos, but I always insisted. And I am so thankful that I did. We miss you and love you Mike. Rest easy.

Friends & family:
At a very young age, 2 families blended into each other.  Your Mom Joyce loved all of the kids and loved the "process" of meal-time.  Mike & Michelle (Muffy) were younger than us, but Christine might remember...There were weekend mornings where we all sat around the table on Craig Avenue.  We called your Mom "Joyce".  Joyce had the toaster working over-time to make sure we all had hot, fresh out of the toaster Pop Tarts with butter.  There were times when dinner was finished with a real special "treat"  She had this red, plastic miniature teddy bear.  She would take a drag from her cigarette and then blow it out at precisely the right place to make it look like the bear had smoke coming out of its ears!  We all laughed and squealed with joy.  Then she would say the rule is..."you have to kiss the cook".    There were Easter egg hunts for us at your Grandma's house (on your mom's side). There were trips in the Galaxy 500 (all the kids, Dixie, Pixie and Schultz to the cabin.   Often, the boys got to go "shooting" with Dad.  The girls got to "do dishes".  (Yay us!) Then all of the kids would go "snipe hunting"!  lol.  We had no idea it wasn't a real thing.  We all went out late at night with paper bags calling...here snipe, snipe, snipe!  Parents no doubt laughed at how smart they were for getting rid of us!
In later years, Michael went with Scott, Bill and Scott's son, Mark Graves to Tucson.  They really pulled one over on our dad that time.  They introduced Michael as a friend of theirs.  They all sat around all night until they finally told him that Michael was his son.  Oooooh, Dad was angry, then happy to reconnect with Michael.
Michael...a life cut short still had tremendous value.  We are confident that your other siblings, children, grandchildren and friends will think of you often.  Rest well and be at peace, Michael.
With Love, 
Scott, Bill & Deb

My dad has been my best friend for the past few years. I got to know him in a way most people didnt get to see. He was loving, caring, thoughtful, and enjoyed spoiling his grandkids. Dad never quit battling his demons and he fought for so long. I'm so thankful that you dont have to fight anymore, Dad. Rest Easy for all of eternity. 
-JP

To family and friends.  I am Michael's half sister.  I am so sorry for your loss.  Such a tragedy.  Such a sad thing for such a young man.  To miss out on his children and grand children's lives...I know he will be missed.  My sincere condolences. Deborah Discont, Phoenix, AZ



OBITUARY

Michael Joseph Graves

June 29, 1971 – February 28, 2021

Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home & Westlawn-Hillcrest Memorial Park

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