Eugene Fowler Graves, Jr.

He was born on November 7, 1907 in Lorena, Texas, the second of four children of Eugene Fowler Graves and Nora Berwick Graves.

He is survived by his five daughters and their husbands; Mollie and Malcolm Pettigrew of Houston, Barbara and David Shannon of San Antonio, Nora and John Watson of Houston, Eugenia and Tom Carter of Houston, Betty and Bob Palmquist of Houston and his twelve beloved grandchildren, Peter Pettigrew; Albert, Charlie and Andrew Shannon; Eugene and Elliot Watson; Fowler, Katherine, Georgia and Molly Carter; Barbara and Elizabeth Palmquist. He is also survived by his sister Dorothy Graves Mosley of San Antonio.

He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-five years, Barbara Frey Graves.

Gene attended Baylor University and the University of Texas where he was a member of the Texas Cowboys. He graduated from the University of Texas with a BBA in 1931.

After college he moved to Houston, Texas to work for Anderson Clayton Company in the cotton import-export business.

In 1936 he moved to India for Anderson Clayton and worked in Bombay and Karachi until 1942 when he returned to the U.S. to join the war effort. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and participated in the Military Government in Leyte, Okinawa, Manila and Tokyo. As part of his officer training, he studied Japanese at the University of Chicago.

While living there, he met his future wife, Barbara Frey, through his friends Betty and Gail Borden, Barbara's sister and brother-in-law.

They were married in 1946 and returned to Houston.

He later joined Reinhart Company where he served as Vice President until 1976. Gene served as President of the Houston Cotton Exchange from 1972 to 1973.

During his years in the cotton business and the Navy he traveled in the Far East, South Africa, Mexico, Guyana, Central America, Europe, Greece, Egypt and Israel. After his five daughters were grown, he and Barbara moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where they spent twenty-one wonderful years.

During this period, Gene enjoyed fly fishing, gardening, birding and photography. He also continued his life-long interest in politics and world affairs, a passion he passed on to all his daughters.

He made many new friends and enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow members in the Don Quixote Luncheon Club.

He joined his wife Barbara in establishing the New Mexico Museum of Natural Science in Albuquerque, New Mexico and in supporting many local Santa Fe museums.

During his last four years in San Antonio, Gene led an active life with help from his very attentive caretakers. The family would like to thank Gloria Hernandez, Lori Hernandez, Dolores Valdez, Eunice Rodriguez and Irma Ramirez for an exceptional job. Their tender care and admiration for Gene enhanced this period of his life.

Well-read and informed on many subjects, Gene was a wonderful storyteller with the gift of perfect timing and subtle nuance.

He was a true gentleman and will be greatly missed and remembered for his wonderfully wry wit, charm, warmth and intelligence.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, remembrances be directed to The LBJ Foundation c/o LBJ School of Public Affairs Development Office, P.O. Box Y, Austin, Texas 78713-8925 or Reach Out and Read Texas, 7000 Fannin #2431, Houston, Texas 77030 or The National Audubon Society, 700 Broadway, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10003.