Frederick Charles Graves

Frederick Charles Graves (86) passed away on July 4, 2026 in San Antonio, TX after sharing 45 years with his loving wife, Rosie. Fred was born on May 5, 1940 in Gilroy, CA to his parents Frederick Gage Graves and Virginia Boyan Graves.

Fred’s early education started in Parma, Ohio and then Ramsey High School in New Jersey. He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Bucknell University and a Master of Science in Industrial Administration from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Upon graduating in 1964, he joined the Military as a Captain in the U. S. Army Security Agency with service in Military Intelligence in Europe. He was Honorably Discharged from the Army in 1969.

Fred worked at Exxon Production Research in Houston, TX before joining Synercom in 1970, a start-up company where he was Vice-President of the Engineering Systems Division specializing in software for designing and analyzing offshore structures.

In 1982, Fred joined Hewlett-Packard as the Global Client Business Manager for Exxon and Shell Oil which afforded international travel to Europe and Asia. In 1989, he was the first computer sales manager accepted into the Bill Hewlett-Dave Packard “President’s Club”. He was also recognized by Lew Platt for the business value he provided to Shell executive management. Fred retired after 20 years with HP.

Fred was also honored in 2023 by the Houston neighborhood community Heathlake Board of Directors for his 30 years of volunteer service as Chairman of the Architectural Control Committee.

At home, Fred could fix anything electrical, plumbing, or appliances. He loved the outdoors, maintaining the pool and yard, and building a fence or birdhouse. He was also a great cook. He relaxed playing the most difficult level of Sudoku.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents: Frederick G. Graves and Virginia B. Graves, parents-in-law: Carlos Varela, Jr. and Oralia G. Varela, and sisters-in-law, Janet Strong Graves (Robert), Diana Varela Saucedo (Toribio) and Laura E. Varela. He leaves behind his devoted wife, Rosalinda “Rosie” Varela Graves; brother: Robert Gage Graves, Sr.,: children and step-children: Frederick Graves, Angelique K. Graves, Monique Graves Malliton (Rick), Frank Agraz, Jr. (Heather), Raquel Agraz Jenkins (Ryan); grandchildren: Jake Malliton, Nina Malliton, Jacquelyn Agraz, Antonio Agraz, Gabriela Jenkins, Simone Jenkins; niece: Cheryl Graves Bonawitz (Steven); nephews: Robert G. Graves, Jr., (Carin), John F. Graves (Karen); sisters-in-law: Sylvia V. Vergara (Carlos), Oralia V. Salinas (Billy), and Olivia V. Santos (Arthur).

A private funeral arrangement will be handled by Sunset North Funeral Home in San Antonio, TX.