Emory Graves

Emory Burl Graves, the only son of Preston Earnest & Eunice Helen (Helton) Graves, was born on May 23, 1933 in Adair, Mayes County, Oklahoma. He passed away in his sleep at his home in Pryor on July 01, 2015 after a lengthy battle with illness. He and Virginia Jane Harrison, teenage sweethearts, were married on August 25, 1951 at the First Baptist Church in Pryor, Oklahoma. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on August 24, 2014. Burl began his lifelong career in the construction industry working for Long Bell Lumber Company in Claremore, OK. While at Long Bell, he received his draft notice from the U.S. Army and was stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany where he proudly served his country from 1953-1955. Following his military discharge he began work for Westside Lumber Company in Pryor managing the lumber yard and designing and building spec homes. In 1974 he started his own business (Imperial Plan Service) designing custom home plans for customers in northeast Oklahoma. He later supervised construction of various residential and commercial buildings in Pryor, including Meadow Trace Apartments and Century National Bank. Burl finished his career as Facilities Superintendent for GRDA where he retired in 1998 with 15 years of service. February 23, 1975, Burl dedicated his life to Jesus Christ and was baptized at the First Baptist Church, Pryor, Oklahoma, by Rev. Forrest Jackson, and served for many years as an adult Sunday school teacher. Burl is survived by his wife Virginia of the home; sons, Chris and wife Terri (Elrod) Graves of Pryor, Oklahoma and Kevin and wife Randie (Ary) Graves of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; daughter, Leslie Trogdon and husband Norman of Pryor, Oklahoma; 4 grandchildren, Wade, Chad, Leigh, and Dawn, 5 great grandchildren, Tyler, Jaicie, Katey, Bryson, and Kinley. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Jean Marie Maltsberger. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, July 5, 2015 in the Shipmans's Funeral Home Chapel. Private family graveside services with Reverend Wendell Lang officiating were held on Monday, July 6, 2015. To leave the family a message, please visit his Book of Memories at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service.

Service:
Private Family Services Monday morning.

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