Coach Graves coached my uncle Jack Redding no.19 at tenn. in 1944 who played in the rose bowl in 1945. While at Florida my older brother made an official visit there. He said that Jack Redding could run the week side sweep out of the single wing better that any one he had ever coached.

I grew up watching you Coach the Gators. You were the greatest. You made Gator Football what it is today. Rest in Peace...Go Gators!!!

A great man, great coach. He gave me my first campus job at Georgia Tech in 1955 when I was a Freshman Co-Op student trying to work my way through college. He went on to become a great coach at Florida, and was a life long friend of Bobby Dodd. I'm just one of thousands whose life he made better. God has rewarded you, Coach Graves, and I thank you for helping me back then. I never will forget you.

We just saw the pics from the memorial service.  We weren't able to attend as Dale had a stroke in October and, although he's doing very well, we needed to be at speech therapy.  You look wonderful and we heard it was a heartwarming service. Saw a pic of Peggy Eaton, too, and don't have contact info for her so please pass along our warm regards.  Blessings to you and your family, Donna and Dale

I'm so sorry, Opal, Becky, Katherine & Beth, I didn't know. Coach was such a big hearted man, and will be missed by everyone who knew him.
You're all in my heart,  I love you all. Teddy

Katherine, so sorry for the loss of your father. My prayers are with you and your family.

Katherine, I was so sorry to hear of your Father's passing.  You will always be dear to my heart. Please accept my kind condolences.

April 21
GONE! but not forgotten. Those God keeps in His memory they become precious in His eyes. Ecc. 9:5 I am sorry for your loss.

He was our Coach but most of all he was our friend and will always be an integral part of our family and our life; God Bless Coach, Opal and the Graves Family......Wayne McDaniel

I was fortunate to meet Coach Graves in Atlanta while writing for the Atlanta Journal and covering Georgia Tech football, where he was an assistant coach under Bobby Dodd. I left Atlanta to become SID at Auburn in 1959, and Coach Graves left Tech to become head football coach at UF in l963. He called and told me to come "home" to Florida as SID. I have been there since, a period of over 53 years. Coach Graves gave me a free hand to run the department and the budget to get things accomplished. He loved his players and treated them like they were sons for the remainder of his life. The "Silver Sixties" group, guided by Gene Peek, is the most close-knit group in UF history and still holds a yearly convention in Crystal River.

Sylvia and I love him like a father and will miss his friendship and help.
Rest in peace Coach Graves.

Norm and Sylvia Carlson

It was the  great privilege of all of us on our  1960 Gator Team to have Coach Graves as our new Coach! He was a fine , kind  person who always looked out for his players.He & Opal were a fine example for all of us.  Tom & Carol Kelley

my experience at Florida enhanced by Ray
still carries great memories but as a player and fishing with Ray and Opal in the Florida Keys years after graduation. My prayers are with Opal and his family.

Coach Graves was the best thing that happened to me at the UF. He gave a second chance to get my life on the right track.I look forward to the day when we will meet again.

"Coach Graves" is how I remember him.  I owe him and his fellow coaches an unpaid debt for helping direct my life into its God-given path.

I now know more about him from his obituary than I knew about him when I played.  He was a soft-spoken, strong leader during the 1960s.  I fondly remember my surprise when he selected me for his "Ray Graves All-Decade Team".  I suppose he knew something about me I didn't know about myself.  But that is how he was to most of his players: quiet, unassuming, and a caring leader.

Coach Graves and his sweet wife Opal  were ALWAYS the people  your parents hoped would be in charge of your kids . What a joy and pleasure it was to have played under his coaching and teachings

Condolences from the entire Thomas Twitty family. RIP Ray, a Gator Forever..

I was honored to play under him.  He was a great coach on and off the field.  He made a major difference in my life.

Honest Jon MacBeth, Fullback 1960 team,
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Coach Graves is a true cornerstone in our Gator Nation. May God's comfort continue to Opal, his family, friends and the Gator Nation during this difficult time. Cherish your many memories from his long long life.

MRS OPAL AND FAMILY, WHAT A GREAT COACH AND WONDERFUL MAN!!!  AS AN SEC FOOTBALL OFFICIAL FOR 20 YEARS, I HAD THE GREAT PRIVILEGE TO OFFICIATE NUMEROUS FLORIDA GAMES WHEN HE WAS THE HEAD COACH (INCLUDING THE 1967 ORANGE BOWL (WHEN STEVE SPURRIER WAS THE QB AND HEISMAN WINNER).  THEY BEAT COACH DODD  AND GA. TECH (ANOTHER FINE MAN)!!!  AS OFFICIALS ARE ALWAYS TO BE PROFESSIONAL - STILL, WE CAN BECOME FRIENDS WITH A GREAT MAN LIKE COACH GRAVES!!!  THE LAST TIME THAT I SAW AND VISITED WITH HIM WAS IN 2003, WHEN I (LIKE HE, EARLIER) WAS INDUCTED INTO THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME IN NEW YORK. HE WAS HIS USUAL GRACIOUS AND ENJOYABLE SELF!!!  MAY THE GOOD LORD GIVE COMFORT IN YOUR GRIEF - BUT HAPPINESS IN THE CELEBRATION OF AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE THAT BLESSED MANY, MANY OTHER LIVES!!!

Thanks Coach Graves for all you did for the Gatornation.

              Jim Eckert

The family of Ernest and Ruth Bartley sends their heartfelt prayers in celebration of Ray's life and important contributions to the Gator family! Opel, we have loved you both since your arrival in Gainesville Mom and Dad always spoke highly of you before their passing.

To the family of Ray Graves sorry for the loss of your loved one. May you rely on the God of comfort and all your beautiful memories to sustain you.

I grew up in the university system and had the opportunity to meet many of the university greats from baseball players to football players, coaches, teachers and administrators, and coach Graves was one of the greats. Through him the foundation of what has become known as The Gator Nation began. He was a good friend of the family and I always enjoyed our conversations. My condolences to the family. RIP Coach Graves, you will be missed and never forgotten.

Dear Opal,
Was sooo sorry to hear of your loss.  Have thought of you so many times and remember fondly our Sunday School Class.  You were both VERY special people.

Rest in peace Coach Graves!! Gator Nation will always remember and miss you.

Rest in Peace Coach. You were a great coach and a great person who helped many people.My condolences.

So sorry to hear about Coach Graves' death.  May the Sovereign of the earth who truly cares for you become your refuge and your strength during this time of sadness.  Cherish the good times!

Sending love, prayers and peace to Mrs. Graves and family.  Coach Graves was so very special to Larry and I and will forever be in our hearts.  He will be cherished by "His Boys" and the Gator Nation always.

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

To the family of Ray Graves: Thanks for loaning such a caring personality to us mortals. Warmest thoughts to you all.

With deepest sympathy on the loss of your loved one. May it comfort you to know that Ray will return to the days of his youthful vigor as promised at Job 33:25.

I entered UF as a freshman the year you arrived as our head coach.  I saw what kind of person you were through my classmates who played football under your guidance.  You were, and always will be, Gator Ray.

Coach Ray Graves was a good friend and colleague at the University of Florida. We served on the Governor's Counsel for Physical Fitness and Sport. He will be miss.

Sorry for your loss. May the God of loyal love, comfort the family during your time of sorrow. Psalm 119:76

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

May the God of all comfort and peace be with your fond memories.

To the Graves family I offer sincere condolences. May you look to the God for the strength and peace to cope now and in days to come.-Philippians 4:6-7

Opal, Graves Family,

      Please accept our condolences on the loss of your dear husband. Our prayers are with you and the entire family. May the God who gives peace be with all of you.-RO.15:33

The Eidsness family had the privilege of knowing two of the coaching greats of the Florida Gators, Bob Woodruff our next door neighbor in N.W. 19th Street and the Ray Grave in Black Acres, as I recall. While we have lost them in our lives, their legacy will live on in the hearts of all their fans and friends. Freddy Eidsness (Jr.)

Whatever Ray did in his life, he left an impact by loving people and was passionate about his job. May God comfort the loving friends and family of Ray, and may his memory live in the God of all comfort. 
Warm Christian love, sarah

While Coach Graves and our dad were adversaries on the football field, they were close friends off.  My folks loved both Coach and Mrs. Graves, and we are saddened to hear of his passing.  He was a great man who gave so much to so many.

Your family is in our prayers.  God bless you.

God bless the family in this time of grief. Thank you coach Graves for the guidance and head start you gave me 
Jack Westbrook  viterbo italy

With fond memories of the person that Coach Graves was, and what he stood for. With sympathy.

May God's love provide the basis for the family's spiritual healing.He has said that He would provide comfort to those seeking it..isa.51:12..........

A great man and coach. Gave me the opportunity to be a graduate assistant coach which allowed me to graduate from law school. Coach Graves kept up with all Gator players and their families. God Bless Mrs Graves and Becky, Catherine, and Beth and their families.

What an  illustrious career! Mr. Graves will be missed by so many!  May the support and love of family & friends help you cope with your loss.

I did not personally know Coach Graves. Having played for General Neyland, 1939-41, as well as coached at Tennessee, HE IS A VOL FOR LIFE.
Mrs. Graves, I was very close to Coach Dodd at Georgia Tech in the 1950's as my grandfather, Mr. J. Mark Chamberlain, served as punter coach for Coach Dodd. Therefore, for all the above reasons, I feel as if I vicariously knew Coach Graves, your beloved husband. Thank the Lord Jesus for his life! He will be missed and remembered always by Vol and Coach Dodd fans like myself! Mark P. Patterson University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Classes of 1969-73 and 1974-75

May your household find peace and comfort in knowing sickness, pain and death will one day be gone for this has been promised. With my deepest condolences for your loss.

My condolences on loosing your loved one. May God give you peace of mind and comfort in these times of distress. God bless and sorry again for your loss.

May the God of all comfort be with family and loved ones.

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Condolences and prayers for the family. Coach Graves helped me get through school at the University of Florida in the 1960s, and I was fortunate enough to get to thank him the last time I saw him. He continued a program started by Bob Woodruff of part-time students in the sports information department, and Coach Graves was always available and treated me as a professional, not just a campus correspondent. He is a great positive factor in the history of Gator sports and education.

OBITUARY

Ray Graves

Coffey Funeral Home

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