Daniel Austin Graves

Daniel Austin Graves, 60 years of age, passed away Sept. 5, 2013. He was born on Sept. 18, 1952 to Mina Mae Graves and the late William A. Graves, Jr., in Forrest City, Arkansas. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at Blanchard - St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA with Rev. Matthew Pagels officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time prior to the service. Daniel Graves was possessed by the entrepreneurial spirit. He arrived in Natchitoches via Phillips Petroleum. Although that company moved from town, Daniel remained to run the Pickle Barrel Charcoal Grill, where so many people fell in love with his famous hamburgers and curly Q French fries. He went on to become the hot dog man on Front Street, but he realized his passion when he became the curator of the Museum of Historic Natchitoches. Later he served on the Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission and the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission helping to preserve our town’s history. His hobby for photography and filmmaking led to numerous Louisiana and Natchitoches history documentaries. He also touched people’s lives through his letters, articles and books. Daniel’s latest project was the Tri-centennial, where he served on the Tri-centennial Committee raising money, planning events and creating marketing plans to bring tourists to Natchitoches’ 300th birthday. Daniel enjoyed listening to and making music. He immersed himself in riding American made motorcycles. He enjoyed listening to stories as well as relating them in many formats. He never met a stranger, and with his razor wit and generosity, his company was sought-after. One of his oldest friends described Daniel as “a man of honor who was just and fair and expected the same from others. Those of us who were privileged enough to be called his friend…will miss him dearly.” He was a loving husband and father and brought his own sparkle to each of his endeavors. Daniel Graves is survived by his mother, Mina Mae Graves; his wife, Linda; his son, Michael; daughter, Taylor; and his five grandchildren.