James Donald Graves

James Donald Graves of San Jose passed away on January 16, 2026, at the age of 94. Mr. Graves was the son of Gilbert Graves and Callie Scruggs Graves of Nashville and White House, Tennessee. James Donald Graves was born on May 10, 1931, in Robertson County, Tennessee. He graduated from White House High School in 1949. He served 4 years in the U. S. Navy and was discharged on June 26, 1956, at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco. Mr. Graves and his wife Marcella Marie (Gifford) were married on June 30, 1956, in San Francisco. He retired in April 1993 after working 34 years at Burke Industries in San Jose as the Quality Control Manager. He attended Foxworthy Baptist Church in San Jose.

Proceeded in death by his loving wife, Marcella, and his sister Barbara Jean Graves Crawford (Kenneth Wayne) from Louisville, Kentucky.

Survivors include one nephew David Crawford (Kerry) and one niece Pamela Crawford of Louisville, Kentucky. Also, two great nephews, Nicholas Wayne Crawford (Sydney) and Taylor Michael Crawford of Chicago, Illinois.

Private funeral services and internment will be at Oak Hill Funeral Home, 300 Curtner Ave., San Jose, California. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Gideons International at their web site: gideons.org/donate.