Dr. James J. Graves

Dr. James J. Graves was born in Littleton, VA on August 23, 1932, and passed away, with his wife Alex by his side, in New York City on November 17, 2023 from complications due to covid.

The only child of Christine Cooper Graves and Elijah Graves, Jim spent his earliest years on his grandparents’ farm being raised by Annie and Roger Cooper alongside his uncles and aunts until he went to live with his parents in Plainfield, NJ. His Uncle Willie thought of him as a “bonus brother” and they had a saying, “Bubba (Wilbert) bubbles the water. Frog (Jimmy) jumps in. Possum (Willie) is up the ‘simmon tree throwing ‘simmons down to Clarine.”

Jim was a talented artist who earned a BFA in illustration from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and served for two years in the army at Fort Bragg as an artist creating informational materials. He moved to New York City, beginning a life-long love affair with what he called “his city” and worked in advertising for sixteen years. He studied with renowned painters like Frank J. Reilly and Frank H. Mason at the Art Student’s League, learning techniques in oil painting that go all the way back to the old masters of the Renaissance. He earned his M.A. and his first Ph.D. in Art and Art Education from NYU and taught art at the High School of Art & Design for twenty-six years. Not only was he knowledgeable and inspiring, but his approachable style made him one of the cool teachers who was fondly remembered by his students long after they graduated.

After retiring, Jim didn’t slow down. He continued to travel the world and turned his attention to his metaphysical studies. Already well-versed in astrology, he also learned numerous healing modalities. He studied at the Rocky Mountain Mystery School, travelled to Sai Baba’s ashram in India, and, as head of the local Tibetan NE Chung Foundation, studied with the Dalai Lama. He studied ancient Khemetic traditions with Baba Heru and Queen Afua. He was also an Ordained Priest after the Order of Melchizedek as well as an Ordained Minister and Bishop of the New York Region of the Temple of Divine Prophecy. Jim even participated in a Peruvian Ayahuasca Ceremony where he had a profound mystical experience of “liquid light” which contributed to his embrace of the philosophy he would often quote, “All is one. Life has a purpose. God is love.”

Jim had a particular interest in UFO research due to his many sightings of UFO’s beginning with his first encounter in France in the early 1970’s. He worked with Bud Hopkins and met many other notable figures in UFOlogy such as Whitley Strieber, Zecharia Sitchin, Michael Tellinger and George Noory. For many years, Jim was a regular at the Strange Universe Panels at the New Life Expo in NYC where he met his spiritual mentor Rev. Dr. Jamie Capers with whom he studied and became life-long friends. Together, they explored their encounters with UFO’s and extraterrestrials, and at the age of 81, Jim completed his second Ph.D. in Biblical and UFO/ET Studies.

Dr. James J. Graves lived his 91 years to the fullest. His love of opera led him to take voice lessons with his friend Gino so he could sing with the Canterbury Choral Society in his resonant bass baritone voice. He even learned to fly a piper cub aircraft. If there was something Jim wanted to do, he went out and did it, and he encouraged everyone to do the same. He had a regal presence and always radiated calm energy no matter what was going on around him. He would often tell people to stay positive and trust that all will be well.

Jim touched so many lives. Please forgive me for not mentioning all of you by name but know how very much you each meant to him. He is survived by his warm and kind-hearted former wife, Joan Davis, with whom he had four amazing daughters, each with their own unique talents. Their eldest daughter, Kristen Montas Graves, her husband Fred Montas and their children Zora Montas and Grace Montas. Jackie Graves, her husband Michael Torres and their children Lillianna Torres and Angelo Torres and daughter-in-law Monique Padilla Torres. Maureen Graves and her daughter Simone Graves. Their youngest daughter Jeanne Graves, who remained by her father’s side in the hospital tenderly caring for him.

I also want to give special mention to Jim’s close friend and long-time spiritual advisor Rev. Dr. Jamie Capers. They travelled the world together for many years, both in the physical realm and throughout every dimension of the multiverse.

And then there’s me, his wife, Alex Kanka-Graves. Ours was a love story like something out of a movie. We met many years ago, then went our separate ways and, in the autumn of 2007, we came together again through a series of synchronicities. We were married on October 18, 2008. For the past fifteen years, I have enjoyed the honor and the privilege of being Mrs. Graves and I have never felt so loved and cherished in my entire life. With that, I will bring this tribute to my wonderful husband to a close. Sweet dreams, my blue flame soulmate, until we meet again. I will love you until the end of time and beyond.

You are invited to attend a celebration of the magnificent life of Dr. James J. Graves where everyone who would like to is welcome to speak and share their fondest memories of this special soul. It will be held from 12-2 pm on December 9, 2023, at the Walter B. Cooke Funeral Home 352 E. 87 Street, New York, NY 10128.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Calvary Hospital, Brooklyn Campus. Every member of the staff there went above and beyond to provide the most compassionate loving care for Dr. Graves during the last days of his life as well as providing support and comfort for his family and friends.