Dallas "Dal" Leonard Graves Jr

Dallas Leonard Graves Jr. (Dal), 87, of Kanosh, Utah, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2021, in his home after a courageous fight with pneumonia and Covid-19.

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A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 17 ,2021 at the Kanosh Ward. Everyone is encouraged to speak and share stories of Dallas.

Dallas was born in Manhattan, New York on December 6, 1933, to the late Dallas Graves Sr., and Regina Graves (Burke). He was the eldest of five children. Two have preceded him in death, brothers Donald Graves and John “Jack” Graves, both of Oneida, New York. He was educated in the Oneida school system and after graduation he went onto proudly serve in the Navy, during the Korean War, for 8 years.

Dallas married the late Bettie Graves on June 8, 1957; they were married for 32 years and had four children. Dallas’ son, Wayne Graves, and daughter, Vicki Graves have preceded him in death.

Dallas was a very hard-working man and worked as a Machinist for Kaiser Aerotech for 27 years. He also worked for Pacific Roller Die as a Machinist for 20 years and the Oakland Coliseum as a security guard for over 30 years. Dallas was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, planting roses, gardening, and building structures such as dog houses, porches, and cages for animals. He had such a big heart for animals since he was little. Dallas used to breed Brittany Spaniels and show them in dog and field shows. His daughters Vicki and Jane would also show the dogs. He could never say no to animals and animals could not say no to him. When Dallas’ son, Wayne, was in Little League, Dallas was so “vocal” during the games that they asked him to be an umpire. Dad said yes and soon he was coach and manger of Wayne’s teams, his wife Bettie (our mom) "I'm as useless as tits on a boar" was score keeper and Vicki, Jane, and I (Pati) were in charge of the equipment. Dallas also loved playing pitch, and cribbage at family reunions. I can write so many things here, the fact is, dad simply enjoyed life!

Dallas is survived by his two daughters, Jane Graves of Kanosh, UT and Pati Graves of Hayward, CA. His two siblings, Tom Graves of Merritt Island, FL, and Sister Jane Graves of Emmittsburg, MD, as well as four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, seven nieces, and two nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the:

American Cancer Society

P.O. Box 22478

Oklahoma City, OK 73123

American Diabetes Association

P.O. Box 7023

Merrifield, VA 22116-7023

The family of Dallas Graves wishes to thank the community of Kanosh, UT, The Kanosh Ward, Fillmore Hospital, and Utah Valley Hospital for lovely accepting our father, onery and stubborn as he can be, and treating him with such respect and dignity. You all made his retirement here a beautiful one. Blessings to all of you.