Marvin Graves

Marvin James Graves (Jim) took his last breath one hour before his 88th birthday, after a sudden struggle with cancer. Jim was an only child, who was born in McCook, Neb. and raised in Hamlet, Neb. with his parents Chet and Susan Graves. They worked a farm growing corn and cattle. After graduation, Jim joined the Army, then settled here in Salem, Ore., where he married his first wife, Jean Ann Thornbrough. Together they had four children. They bought a small farm in south Salem to raise their family, along with horses, sheep, goats, cows, pigs, chickens and of course, the family dog. Jim enjoyed these years camping, boating, and fishing with his children.

Jim married his second wife, Lynn Dunbar, in 1985, and together they bought and remodeled a home. Jim was proud of the work they accomplished, turning the house and yard into a beautiful oasis, complete with a koi pond reminiscent of Hawaii, where they both enjoyed many vacations. They also dedicated their lives to rescuing dogs, which were mostly boxer breeds. They had many neighborhood friends that Jim would visit with on his daily dog walks, or if he was in the yard, they would always stop to talk with him. Jim was friendly and inviting, and he will be missed dearly.

Jim was fortunate to take a road trip with his cousin Tom Welch back to their stomping grounds in Nebraska. They drove up I-84 and down through Cheyenne, Wyo., to see his parents’ gravesites and visit the town he grew up in. They stayed with their cousins Gary and Ricki Wach at their winery in Farnum, Neb.

Jim's son, Michael James Graves, preceded him in death. He leaves behind two daughters, and a stepson: Kathryn Graves, Debra Dewitt and Lawrence (Tony) Pickens along with Jim's late wife's family; family members in Nebraska, as well cousins here in the Willamette Valley: Tom Welch, Dennis Graves, Lori Jan, Raymond Colson and Herb Graves. Jim also leaves behind five grandchildren: Robert Dewitt, Emily Dewitt, Tyler Mullins, Jessica Graves, and Brandon Graves; and a large bunch of great-grandchildren.

We love you, Daddy, and will miss you until we are together again.