Mr. Howard Richard Graves

Howard Richard Graves, known as “Rick”, was born on August 10, 1947 in Shelbyville, Indiana and resided in Orlando, FL. He was the son of Earl Graves and Betty Phares. He passed Monday, November 1, 2021 surrounded by his family.

Rick was the oldest of 7 children. He joined the Army in 1967, because it was a “shorter service time than the Navy”. His service in Vietnam awarded him numerous medals including: an Air Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device, Vietnam Service Medal with Combat Infantryman’s badge, Purple Heart, and two overseas service bars. He was a very proud military veteran.

He moved to Orlando, FL after his military service where he met his wife, Janet Rochefort Graves, at a horse auction over 52 years ago. Together, they have their daughter, Vanessa.

Rick is survived by his wife, Janet, his daughter Vanessa, his brother Michael Emerick, his sisters Kathy Emerick, and Brenda King.

He worked in various capacities, including a mechanic for police cars, Taxi driver, book store owner, corrections officer, “Mr. Mom” and most recently a systems operator at the Regional Traffic Management Center (“RTMC”).

He spent his years indulging in his hobbies of attending racing/monster truck events, RC cars, wood working, reading, fishing, and helping anyone with anything. He loved dogs and his family. He never met a stranger and had many stories to tell.

He will be greatly missed.

A graveside funeral service will be held to honor Rick Graves on Saturday, Nov 13th at 1pm with a small gathering following.

Chapel Hill Cemetery 2400 Harrell Road, Orlando FL, 32807 at 1 p.m.

Renaissance Senior Center 3800 S. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando FL, 32829 at 2 p.m.