James A. Gravette

On October 21, 2016, retired Air Force Colonel James (Jim) A. Gravette Jr. of Arlington VA passed away. Jim is now united with his parents (James and Jules); and is survived by his wife Margaret; daughter Peggy Purcell (Mike) and children Lindsey, Casey, Jaimee, and Natalie; son Jim Gravette (Julie) and children Megan, Erin, and Lauren; and daughter Aimee Kokotakis (Manny) and children Nicholas and Julia. Jim will be dearly missed by all.

He was born in Cleveland Ohio in 1932, and was the oldest of six children (Joyce, Tom, Jack, Dennis, and Janice). He attended Cathedral Latin High School, and was recruited under Woody Hayes to play football at Miami University (Ohio). In college, he joined the Air Force ROTC program, and graduated in 1954 with a degree in Education. Jim later received his Master’s degree from the University of Denver in 1958, and attended the National War College in Washington DC in 1972.

In 1954, Jim entered the Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant. As a young flight officer he proved himself quickly. In one instance, his quick and decisive actions to put out an in-flight cockpit fire saved the lives of all those onboard. This level of bravery was shown throughout his career, particularly in the missions he later flew during the Vietnam War as part of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing. Jim also had the distinction of being one of the young officers selected to assume the role of upper classmen in order to start up the Air Force Academy.

Jim’s Air Force career is marked by many awards including numerous commendation and legion of merit medals. As a navigator during the Vietnam War he was awarded the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Presidential Unit Citation. As a Colonel, he rose to Director of South American Affairs and was instrumental in developing Department of Defense objectives in Central and South America. Jim retired from the Air Force in 1985 after 30 years of service, and was recognized by receiving the Defense Superior Service Medal for his service to our country.

After retiring from the Air Force, Jim continued to work in the defense industry for various firms in the Northern VA area, and became an active volunteer member of the Military Officers Association of America later rising to president of the Northern VA chapter. Over the last 30 years, he volunteered as a coach (girls basketball) for Saint Agnes Catholic School and with the Red Coat teams for the Knights of Columbus. Jim loved teaching and sharing his life experience, and as such finished his working career as a substitute teacher at George Mason High School in Falls Church VA.

Jim was married in 1962, and he and Margaret shared the last 54 years of adventures together living in Alabama, Colorado, Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Panama, and Belgium; making great friends and touching lives everywhere along the way. Despite all the titles that have defined his life, Jim was most proud of his title as “grandpa”. He touched so many with his calm, smart, strong, and loving personality, and his humor had no equal. The world is a better place because Jim was here, and we will miss him dearly.