Paul Dale Graves

Paul D. Graves, 88, of Pine Bluffs, died at Davis Hospice Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming on Monday, September 26, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 3, 2011 at the Pine Bluffs Community Center in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m. On line condolences may be given to the family at www.cantrellfh.com . Memorials may be given in care of the family to the Farmer’s State Bank in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming. The services for Paul have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home in Kimball.

He was born Oct. 3, 1922 in Hollenberg, KS to Frank E. and Edna (Froehlich) Graves. As a child, he helped his family on the farm near the Nebraska/Kansas state line. His family later moved to Steele City, NE where they raised horses, cattle and hogs. When he was a young man, Paul moved to the Torrington area where he worked on various ranches until he was called to service. He was stationed in France during WWII.

Paul married JoAnn Clark Feb. 9, 1946 in Washington County, KS. They farmed in the Hollenberg, KS and Steele City, NE areas until 1957 when they moved their family to Wyoming to work on the Many Wells Ranch north of Pine Bluffs. JoAnn passed away Nov. 1, 1981. Paul later married Ruby Lesser July 15, 1985. He was a member of the Albin American Legion, the Pine Ridge Saddle Club and the Pine Bluffs Roping Club. Paul worked for WT Young until the mid 1970s when the Many Wells Ranch was sold. He then worked for Jim Young of Kimball, NE until he retired. He later worked part-time for Laramie County Road & Bridge and at the Pine Bluffs rest area. Paul was an original cowboy, living most of his life on horseback. One of his favorite pastimes was driving his teams and wagons. He was well known for hauling Santa Claus with his mules and surrey in the annual Christmas At Home parade. He was known for his wagons in local parades in the area. He had wagons in the Albin Day parade every year since 1966, only missing two years, 1992 and 2011. He also was in the Trail Days parade for over 45 years. Paul’s greatest love was his family. He included his family in everything he did. He especially enjoyed the large gatherings during the holidays. In later years, he seldom missed a sporting event or local rodeo that involved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by three daughters; Dema and Loyd Gilbert of Pine Bluffs, Dulsa Brammeier, and Donna and Tom McDonough, all of Pine Bluffs; two sons, Larry and Bonnie Graves, and Lonny and Carleen Graves, all of Pine Bluffs; a sister, June Simnitt of Santa Clarita, CA; 15 grandchildren, Darla Haug of Pine Bluffs, Dale and Lisa Gilbert of Pine Bluffs, Duane and Chloe Gilbert of Encampment, WY, Charles and Marlene Jones of Maywood, NE, Melissa Jones of Pine Bluffs, Jesse and Traci Curtis of Pine Bluffs, Kim Curtis of Cheyenne, Daniel and Misty Curtis of Pine Bluffs, Tyler and Carmela Graves of Pine Bluffs, Kelly and Brannon Bartlett of Cheyenne, Katlyn and Ryan Klinginsmith of Omaha, NE, Ryan and Mary Graves of Encampment, WY, Lindsey and Morgan Forbes of Pine Bluffs, Johnna Graves and Conner Graves, both of Pine Bluffs; 30 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death his parents; his wife, JoAnn Graves; his second wife, Ruby Graves; his brother-in-law, Noel Simnitt; and his brother, Noel Graves.