Gary Lee Graber

1939 - 2022

Gary Lee Graber
December 8, 1939 - October 8, 2022
Richland , Washington - Gary Lee Graber passed away from cancer on Saturday October 8, 2022, amongst his family. Gary was born on December 8th, 1939 to Grant Arthur and Ruth Eleanor Graber of Wapato, Wa, the first of three boys.
Gary was a proud graduate of Wapato High School, class of 1958. Around Wapato, and in his family's orchards in Malaga, he grew-up in and around orchards and ranches which influenced his love of agriculture, farming, and science. Gary graduated from Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo with a B.S. in Agriculture in 1963.
In 1966, he married Margaret (Peggy) Christine Serr from Yakima. They lived briefly in Kennewick and Quincy and then bought a small farm and moved to Connell in 1967. Many fond memories were made there raising carrots, peas, beets and 3 kids. In 1975, the family moved to the Tri-Cities and Gary started farming in the north Pasco area.
Gary remained in touch with those he met from the over 60 years he worked in and around the Columbia Basin. His first job was at National Bank of Commerce in Kennewick; then he started farming and became familiar with the farming communities from Connell to Pasco. In the late 1980's, Gary was a salesman at JRJ Case or the "tractor store" as we called it. He loved selling tractors and equipment to all the people in the region and giving his grandkids rides on the tractors. Gary spent the last 23 years working in Real Estate.
Relaxing for more than a minute was not common for Gary. But the one place that he would completely unwind was his yearly vacation to Maui with Peggy. It was their special place to
vacation. They also loved the beach at Long Beach, Washington. Gary enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening; especially sunflowers and specialty types of corn. The seeds of both of those, he fed to the birds and critters during the winter.
Gary is survived by his wife, Peggy, his daughter's, Amy (Phil Honeywell) Graber-Honeywell, Gretchen Graber, and grandchildren Max, Tycho and Annika Honeywell, brother Guy (Trish) Graber, niece, Brynn Wilson and nephew, Cade Graber, and nieces Shelle Curley and Shari Graber.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Ruth Graber, brother, James Graber, and son, Gary Andrew Erik Graber. Gary's ashes will be scattered at a few places which meant a great deal to him.
A memorial for Gary will be on Saturday, October 29th, 11:00 AM at La Maison de Chantelle, 5960 Burden Blvd, Pasco, Wa. The family invites you to sign or leave a short story about how you knew Gary, for us at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.