Morristown TN and died peacefully at home with family by his side on 6/1/2020. He was
affectionately called a “double Aggie” (or Agginoid by his Sooner family) attending both Texas
A&M and Oklahoma A&M with advanced degrees in Architecture and Engineering. Jack proudly
served in the Navy during World War II and was fortunate to fly on Oklahoma’s first Honor
Flight.
His professional career included partnerships with Gruen Associates (NYC) and Oklahoma firms
of Sorey Hill & Sorey; Caudill Rowlett & Scott; Binnicker-Graves; the Benham Group; and ADG.
In addition to his design of the Gateway Center in Newark NJ & OKC’s first underground
pedestrian concourse, Jack’s projects included the Lloyd Noble Center (Norman); OK School for
the Deaf (Sulphur); research laboratories for both OU School of Pharmacy & the US Dept. of
Agriculture; HE Bailey & Indian Nations turnpikes; OK Publishing Company’s headquarters; Fifty
Penn Place; Jamestown condominiums; and specifications for a million sq. ft. Ford Motor plant
in Romeo, MI. His last project serving as the State’s representative on the construction of the
OK State Capitol Dome was one of his all-time favorites.
Jack served as President/Chairman of the OK Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
(AIA), the OKC Section of AIA, Construction Industries Council of OK & State Board of
Registration for Engineers & Land Surveyors and as member on numerous professional boards
& commissions and after retirement enjoyed giving back through gifts of his time and talent.
Jack was married to Rosemary Champlin Graves from 1957 until her untimely death and they
were blessed with four children -- Sydney, Claire, Laura & Paul. Almost 45 years ago Jack
enrolled his twin daughters at Harding Middle School and met their counselor Susie Davis. He
and Susie ran into each other at the OKC Tennis Club a few days later, were married less than
a month after their first date and greeted their “first, fifth & last” child David Benton two years
later.
Predeceased are his parents, brother David Benton & sister Nancy. Jack is survived by his wife
Susie Ray Graves; daughters Sydney Carey, Claire McGrath, Laura Zimmerman (Scott); and
sons Paul Graves and David Graves; grandchildren Rosemary Clary (Kyle), Hope Palladino
(Rob), Mallory McConville, Chip Carey, Jack Graves, Natalie Carey; great grandchildren Grace
& Skylar Clary, Havely Graves, & Benton Palladino.
Jack served as a deacon and Stephen Minister at Westminster Presbyterian Church where his
Memorial service will be held Friday 6/5 at 11am. Please wear a touch of his favorite color
yellow. Social distancing will be honored and a mask required. You may also join via live
stream. Gifts in Jack’s memory may be made to WPC Foundation ( www.wpcokc.org ) or the
Parkinson’s Foundation of OK ( www.parkinsonoklahoma.com )
