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JAMES A. "Grandpa" GRAVETTE Col. U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
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JAMES GRAVETTE Obituary
JAMES A. GRAVETTE "Grandpa" Col. U.S. Air Force (Ret.) (Age 84)
On October 21, 2016, retired Air Force Colonel James "Jim" A. Gravette Jr. of Arlington VA passed away. He is survived by his wife Margaret; daughter Peggy Purcell (Mike) and children Lindsey, Casey, Jaimee, and Natalie; son Jim Gravette (Julie) and children Megan, Erin, and Lauren; and daughter Aimee Kokotakis (Manny) and children Nicholas and Julia. Jim was born in Cleveland, OH (1932), and was the oldest of six children. He was recruited under Woody Hayes to play football at Miami University (Ohio), and graduated in 1954 with a degree in Education. He received his Master's degree from the University of Denver (1958), and attended the National War College (1972). Jim entered the Air Force in 1954 and was one of the young officers selected to assume the role of upper classmen in order to start up the Air Force Academy. He flew as a navigator during the Vietnam War as part of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing where he was awarded the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Presidential Unit Citation. He rose to Director of South American Affairs. Jim retired from the Air Force in 1985 after 30 years of service to our country. After retiring, Jim worked for various defense firms in the Northern VA area, and also was a substitute teacher at George Mason High School in Falls Church VA. He volunteered for the Military Officers Association of America, Saint Agnes Catholic School (basketball coach), and Knights of Columbus (Redcoats). Jim was married in 1962, and he and his family traveled all over the world. Despite all his titles, Jim was most proud of being "grandpa". He touched so many with his calm, smart, strong, and loving personality, and his humor had no equal. The world is a better place because Jim was here, and we will miss him dearly. A viewing for family and friends will be held at the Murphy Funeral Home in Arlington VA on Thursday October 27, 2016 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at Saint Agnes Catholic Church, Arlington, VA on Friday October 28, 2016 at 11 a.m. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a later date. Condolences may be expressed online at www.murphyfuneralhomes.com
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Memories and Condolences
for JAMES GRAVETTE
Beth Brooker
November 9, 2017
Dear Margaret, Peggy, Jim and Aimee. Have thought of each of you many times over the years. I just learned of the loss of your husband, Margaret, and I am grateful that you have your children and grandchildren. I hope you are in good health. God be with you and yours. Love your sister, Beth Kennedy Brooker. (Mrs.Beach Brooker)
Denise Konieczka
November 23, 2016
Dear cousin Margaret and Family, I was very sad upon hearing the passing of Jim. May God welcome Jim to eternal peace. You are all in our prayers at this most difficult time.
Phyllis Turk
November 23, 2016
Just heard about Jim's passing after writing to one of his daughters for his new address. Jimmy as gram called him, was a much admired and respected member of the family. Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Hugs and Prayers!
John Shortall
November 6, 2016
I knew Jim from his exemplary work coaching CYO basketball at St. Agnes. I had the pleasure of witnessing one of his former players come one evening to register her own daughter to play for him -- quite a testament to what an admirable man he was.
George Noory
October 28, 2016
Dear Margaret & Family, I was so very saddened to read of Jim's passing. He was and is a great and wonderful man. It was my honor & pleasure to have known him over these several years.
I'm sure St. Peter and the angels saluted when he arrived for duty.
God Bless!
Larry Robertson
October 27, 2016
Ms. Gravette,Peggy, Jimmy and Aimee, so sorry for the loss of your husband and father. He was such a good man. He will be missed by so many. But his legacy has been passed down to his three children, and all those grand children. God bless all of you.
Larry Robertson
October 27, 2016
Dear Margaret, Judy and I want to send our sincere condolences to you and your wonderful family. We always enjoyed visiting with you both at the Northern Virginia MOAA Chapter events and also at the State and National meetings too. Jim was a true servant leader and wonderful role model for all of us that were privileged to know him. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family during this very difficult time. Sincerely- norb ryan
Lupi Roca
October 27, 2016
CYO basketball was an amazing experience because of Col. Jim Gravette. He dedicated countless hours of his free time to our team and even when his kids stop playing ball he still continued coaching up until a few years ago. He will always be remembered for his gracious and humble personality and I will always enjoy the memories of his football stories as a player in his youth.
David S. Fairbank
October 26, 2016
My condolences to the Gravette family in the passing of Col. James A. Gravette.
The Dieter Family
October 26, 2016
God Bless Jim and the Gravette Family.
Chris Stallings
October 26, 2016
Coach
You will be miss but I am glad to have met you over 35 years ago. I am better for knowing you and your awesome family.
Christina Jenner Caldwell
October 26, 2016
To the Gravitate family, my condolences to you on the loss of Col. Gravette. I was saddened to hear of his passing, I have some very fond memories of him as my CYO basketball and softball coach at St. Agnes. I had the pleasure of seeing him a few years ago and was surprised that he remembered me after so many years. He recalled some of our times on the court like it was just yesterday. He truly was one of the great ones.
Kerry Albrittain Williams
October 26, 2016
Our deepest condolences! I had the pleasure of playing CYO basketball for Col. Gravette at St Agnes and among the many things he taught us by his example one was how to be a humble winner and gracious loser. Prayers to a great family for love and support to get you all through this difficult time!
October 26, 2016
Aimee and Jim
Carol and I were sorry to see your father's obituary in today's paper. Our deepest condolences to you and the rest of your family.
Bill Heinz
Dan Thibodeau
October 26, 2016
On behalf of our entire Thibodeau family we send our condolences. We are grateful to have been part of his life as well as the whole family. We wish the family peace during this difficult time.
The Thibodeau family
October 26, 2016
Dear Margaret,
Please accept my sincere sympathy in your loss. We enjoyed meeting Jim and you in Silver Spring and in Annapolis. I will be wintering in Ft. Worth and Austin with my Texas family and I remember you considered Texas a "home" at one time. I wish you and your family well in the coming times.
Caroline Wugofski
tom gavin
October 25, 2016
2473
October 25, 2016
Jim was a great man. We all enjoyed having him work at GMHS. He'll be missed.
October 25, 2016
All the ATOs remember Jim while he served as upperclass for the early Classes at the United States Air Force Academy when it was located at Lowry AFB, CO.
We will miss him !!!
Maria Shields
October 25, 2016
I met Jim at George Mason High School; my high school students loved having Mr. Gravette as a substitue teacher. Not everyone likes to substitute in an art classroom but Jim took such an interest in the student's artwork that discipline was never an issue. Jim will always be a part go the GMHS family.
October 25, 2016
Jim was one of our favorite substitutes here at George Mason. He was so knowledgeable about so many things and the teachers loved having him in the classroom with the students. We all heard stories about those wonderful grandchildren. He certainly was proud of them and of all of his family. We missed Jim this year. Your family will be on our minds and in our hearts.
tom gavin
October 25, 2016
have one miss him kofc
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