Larry Dean Graves' Obituary
Larry Dean Graves was born February 28, 1944 in Bakersfield California to George and Lucille Hanson Graves. He went to eternal rest January 19, 2017 at the age of 72. Larry lived in Broken Arrow Oklahoma for the past 36 years. Survivors include Kris Graves, his children’s mother Linda Belt, Sons Mike and his wife Carla, Mark and his wife Amanda and daughter Laura Lynn Graves Engel. His sister Rita and husband Kenny Wilson. Grandchildren include Aaron Robert Dean Brewer and wife Elizabeth, Michael William Graves and wife Valarie, Devin Andrew Brewer and wife Torrie, Destiney Dawn Graves and Fiancé Mitchell Lake, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Graves Donovan and husband Josh, Jeffery Parenti, Patrick Parenti, Nathan Parenti and Justin Belt. The Great Grandkids were his joy, AddyLynn Brewer, Landon Graves and Ryker Brewer. Nieces Denise Wyatt and Gina Marie Schaffer and Nephew Curt Wilson. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Lola Wyatt, brother in law Darrell Goforth and grandson Zachary Graves. Special thanks to Mike Turley who Larry thought of as a son. Larry served his country for 4 years in the Air Force stationed in Florida where he met and married Linda Goins. They had 3 children Mike, Mark and Laura. Larry enjoyed being in business for himself and his first business was in lawn and landscaping in his younger years while in Florida. The family transplanted to Kansas and Larry sold plants from Florida trucking them himself back and forth. He then worked in the oil field industry with Jim Cook and other family members. He met and married Kris in 1981 and they moved to Broken Arrow. Larry continued to work in the oil related business until the carwash idea caught his attention. From there he purchased his first car wash in 1983, built another in Coweta in 1985 and another in Tulsa in 1998 along with a mini storage. While having the carwashes he also had several other business ventures including a convenience and liquor store with friend Jim Brewer and Laundromat with friend Grady Upshaw. Larry was a great cook and enjoyed putting on a feast so we also had the Hog Heaven BBQ Restaurant where he served a mean prime rib. Larry slowed down after a critical injury in 2011 but he continued to love visits from his family along with football, and TV game shows. Larry was a believer and prayed regularly. We know he is at peace and his pain is gone. The family will gather to receive friends from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, Monday, January 23, 2017 at the Floral Haven Family Center. Memorial Services will be 12:30 pm Monday, January 23, 2017, Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
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