July 17, 1932 - April 12, 2024
Lonnie Erston Graves, age 91, passed away peacefully at home from lung cancer on April 12, 2024. He was the eldest son of six children born to Claude and Velma Graves. He was raised in the beautiful mountain countryside of Cullman County, Alabama. He knew he wished to explore the world and serve his country, so he enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 18. While stationed near Liverpool, England, he met the love of his life, Moira Vernon. They married May 6, 1954. The first of their four children was born in Paris, France. From there, Lonnie led his family on an adventure around the world, adding three more children, each born in a different country.
Lonnie's military training skilled him as an avionics specialist, a trade that would serve him well past his military career. After completing 21 years in the US Air Force that took him to places that included England, France, Japan, Germany and various states within the U.S., Msgt. Lonnie Graves, retired from the Air Force and took his family back to live in San Antonio. Post his military retirement, Lonnie managed an avionics company for private aircraft, Matthews Electronics, then worked as a project manager for a division of LTV Aerospace, a defense contractor, where he oversaw the integration of digital instruments that replaced the analog versions for the T-38 supersonic air trainer used to train the Air Force pilots.
Worthy of noting, Lonnie was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. Married to Moira, he stayed by her side for over 71 years, caring for and protecting her to the very end. He was a humble man of principle and strong ethic. He set the example and set the expectations. Lonnie took great pride in his family, house, vehicles, and lawn, preferring to manage and care for them, and he consistently had the lushest lawn in the neighborhood. He always enjoyed a good joke and an ice-cold beer on a hot day. They broke the mold with this one. Raise your glass and have a laugh in honor of Msgt Lonnie Graves!
He is survived by his two daughters, Moira "Sissy" Dobbs and Susan Harrington, his sister, Virgie Calvert and brothers, Rayburn Graves and Dillard Graves preceded in death by his two sons, Michael and Glenn Graves.
A visitation for Lonnie will be held Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with Funeral Service to be held Friday, May 3, 2024 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, TX 78148. A committal service with Military Honors will follow from 1:45 PM to 2:05 PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Shelter #5, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209.
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