John Raymond Graves

John Raymond Graves, 70, an avid pilot, motorcycle enthusiast and founder of Greater California Financial Services, died Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, at his home in Paso Robles. John was a loving husband, father and brother, whose legacy of generosity, humor, wisdom and passion lives on in his friends and family. John was born in February 1940, in Louisville, Ky., the son of Allen Willis and Helen Cannan Graves. From an early age, John distinguished himself with a love of adventure. One of his earliest adventures came at the age of five when he slipped out of the house and toured his hometown by hiding in the back of a municipal garbage truck. That love of adventure grew with John to include motorcycle riding and a passion for civil aviation. John first obtained his pilot''s license while still in his teens and as recently as this year, he routinely enjoyed motorcycle rides with friends and daily flights in his Cirrus. After a forced landing in one of his planes, John was asked if the incident affected his feelings about flying. He replied, "It makes me glad that I have two airplanes, otherwise, I couldn''t go flying tomorrow." John also distinguished himself in business. By the age of 19, John had been so successful as a salesman for Colliers Encyclopedias he was named Regional Vice President. In 1974, John founded Greater California Financial Services, one of the leading collection agencies in California. The company relocated to Paso Robles in 1992 and today has 55 employees. He was a leader in the collections industry and served as president of the California Association of Collectors from 1977 to 1978. John married Koene Rasanen in 1978. They worked together ever since and built GCFS and later their Paso Robles home. They had traveled together throughout the world and shared life''s great adventures. John is survived by his wife of 33 years, Koene Rasanen Graves; son, Allen Willis Graves of Pasadena, Calif.; mother, Helen Graves of Louisville; sisters Joyce Olney of Rock Hill, S.C., Dorothy Cannan Hyde (James) of Black Mountain, N.C., and Jenny Weisz (John) of Boston, Mass.; and brothers David Graves (Margaret) of Louisville and Tom Graves (Wendy) of Richmond, Va. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Allen Graves, and son Jason Graves. A service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1301 Oak St. in Paso Robles, with a reception to follow at the Graves home. Memorial gifts may go to Hospice Partners of the Central Coast, 277 South St. Ste. R, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, or North County Women''s Shelter, P.O. Box 2155, Atascadero, CA 93423.