Donald A Graves

Donald A. Graves of Keizer, Oregon, passed away in his sleep next to his wife of 60 years, JoAnn, on August 9,
2022 at the age of 93. Known to his children and grandchildren as “Boppy”, Don was born in Metzger and
graduated from South Bend (WA) High School. In his early years he was known as a carefree spirit who loved fast
cars and adventures – one notable one involving a missing fire truck. He was also a hardworking young man and
had many jobs - driving a mule team, delivering groceries (driving a car at the age of 14), and working in his
father’s accounting business.

Don enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp in 1950 and served in the First Marine Division for four years. He was
awarded the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the National
Defense Service Medal, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation for his time in Korea. He was a patriot and very
proud to have served his country.

After the war, Don continued to work and play hard. In 1963, he married the love of his life, JoAnn McGuire
from Raymond Washington, and together they raised four children. Don and JoAnn’s shared life was filled with
hard work, challenging times that made them stronger, and countless good times with family and friends. They
had adventures ranging from elk hunting, deep-sea fishing on their own charter fishing boat out of Ilwaco
Washington, travelling the country in their motor coach to see all but two of the U.S.’s national parks, and
seeing the world on trips to Poland, Greece, Djibouti, and many other countries.

Don had a very successful career as an executive in the timber products industry in the Pacific Northwest and
Phoenix Arizona working for Weyerhaeuser, Publisher’s Paper, Cascade Locks Lumber Company, and Southwest
Forest Industries, culminating with him purchasing his own sawmill – a lifelong dream. Don and JoAnn spent five
years in Burns, Oregon in the 1980s, running Snow Mountain Pine, keeping numerous families financially stable
in a time when the industry was declining.

After retirement, Don and JoAnn moved closer to their family, played lots of golf, spent time at their Willapa Bay
home, and continued to travel. Don loved trading stocks and spent many happy hours doing research and
building his portfolio. He was a charter and life member of the Newport Elks Club and a member of the Keizer
Elks where he and JoAnn enjoyed eating, drinking, and visiting with friends.

Don’s family and friends will remember his fun-loving ways, the twinkle he always had in his eye, his singing
voice, his generosity, and his commitment to his wife, children, and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife JoAnn; twin sister Diane; daughter Lani (Mark) of Keizer; daughter Maile (John) of
Keizer; son Donald L.; eight grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Interment services will be held at Fern Hill Cemetery, Menlo Washington on August 27, 2022 at 3:00. A
celebration of life is planned at a later date.

Contributions are suggested to the Veterans of Foreign Wars or the American Legion. For photos, memories, and
online condolences, please visit Don’s memorial websites at www.bayviewfuneralhome.com and
www.keizerchapel.com.