George Graves

George Graves was a man who loved life and loved people, making the most of each day he was given. He created a beautiful history that will be held dear to the hearts of those he loved.

During the year 1944, the fighting in WWII continued overseas while people back home dealt with rationing on many common goods and planted victory gardens as a way of lessening the burden on the national food supply. This was a year of great celebration in the family of Jewel and Loretta (Lambert) Graves as they welcomed the birth of their son, George, on September 17th. Born in Douglas, Michigan, George was one of six children in his family. He was a member and altar boy at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Douglas, serving for the first mass held there. George attended local schools and graduated from Zeeland High School. He served his country in the Marines from 1968 to 1970 and was part of the fighting in Vietnam.

Throughout his life, George worked hard to build a successful career. He was a graduate of Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids and was also a licensed builder and architectural designer as well.

George’s life was forever changed when he met and married Dee Mikos. George and his wife worked as a team selling residential and commercial real estate in the Saugatuck and Holland areas for a time. They later owned and operated a national real estate franchise for the entire state of Michigan from 1998 to 2007.

In so many ways, George embraced life. He was an avid sailor who repeatedly competed in the Chicago to Mackinac Sailboat Race, one of the longest fresh-water races in the world. George enjoyed all forms of boating and also loved golfing and deer hunting. He liked restoring and making furniture and traveling some, too. George enjoyed being social and was a member of the National Association of Realtors, Macatawa Bay Yacht Club, and the American Legion.

George Graves was a remarkable man who took captive every moment he was given and made it his own. He loved others dearly and his memory will be forever cherished by those he leaves behind.

George Graves died on Wednesday, July 7, 2010. George’s family includes his wife, Dee Mikos-Graves of Holland; his son, George (Darlene) Kamakaris of Denver, CO; his son, James Music of Denver CO; his grandchildren, Brianna Music, Taylor Music, & Chris Wood; his brother, Larry Graves of Saugatuck; his sister, Janice Crawford of Tennessee; his sister, Lorraine Knoll of Holland; his sister-in-law, Lois Graves of Holland; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles and Emma Mikos of Ravenna; his brother-in-law, Charles Mikos of Muskegon; and several nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Allan Graves; and his brother and sister-in-law, Jewel and Laura Graves.

Cremation will take place and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 1 St. Peter’s Drive, Douglas.

Arrangement by Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, Mulder Chapel – Holland, MI.

Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to the American Heart Association.