John B Graf Jr.

GRAF, John (Jack) B., Jr., 85, of Chesterfield, passed away to embrace his Lord and Savior on March 11, 2013. He was born and raised in Jersey City, NJ and is preceded in death by his parents, Superior Court Justice of Hudson County, New Jersey John B. Graf Sr. and Josephine/Rita Graf; and his brother, Joseph Graf. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Blanche Louise Graf; his three children, Kathleen M. (Mario) Procopio of California, John B. (Joanne) Graf III of Atlanta, Paul J. (Elizabeth) Graf of Chesterfield, VA and their mother Carole P. Graf-Murphy of New Hartford, New York; four grandchildren Melody L. Fulcher, John B. Graf IV, Drew T. Graf and Gabriella M. Graf, three great-grandchildren; three stepchildren, Deborah (Steve) Yancey, Mary Coline (James) Farkas, Brent (Bonnie) Price; six step grandchildren, seven step great-grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Graf Jordan; one niece, three nephews, numerous other nieces, nephews and relatives. John was a highly accomplished insurance claims executive and lawyer graduating from St. Peter’s Prep High School in Jersey City, NJ in 1944, and received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Seton Hall University in 1950 and 1972. John also served in the Army (82nd Airborne Veteran) and Army National Guard for 28 years and turned down the promotion of Colonel in his last year of service before retirement in 1973. John was instrumental during the Civil Rights movement in the late 1960’s to aide in the effort of maintaining peace and civility in Newark, NJ as an Army National Guard Major Officer. In addition to being an accomplished insurance claims executive, lawyer, and Army/National Guard officer, John was a huge humanitarian for many years volunteering his time to help mentally disabled children and adults in Upstate New York and elderly residents at various nursing homes throughout the state of Virginia. John was also an active member of the Rotary Club, Kiwanis, Elks Club, Virginia Professional Claims/Richmond/Virginia State Claims Associations, and many other professional organizations throughout his life. John was also very active in his various churches as a devote Catholic and Episcopalian. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Huguenot Chapel of Woody Funeral Home, 1020 Huguenot Rd. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 14, at Oak Forest Baptist Church, 5101 Courthouse Rd., Chesterfield. The Interment and burial will take place at Greenwood Memorial Gardens where John will be laid to rest in the Medal of Honor military section of Greenwood. Condolences can be sent to Woody Funeral Home Huguenot Road, in Midlothian, VA or sent to www.woodyfuneralhome.com.