Kennedy Lee Graves

Kennedy Lee Graves, 87, of Topeka, passed away on Monday, March 1, 2010 at his home. He was born May 28, 1922 in Pomona, KS, the son of Percy and Edna Graffham Graves. He graduated from Pomona High School in 1939. In 1942, he was inducted into the Army Infantry at Leavenworth, KS and took his training in Oregon. Ken served in WWII from Oct. 1942-Jan. 1947 in the 361st Regiment of the 91st Division and was discharged as a Staff Sergeant from Custer, MI. He was injured and received 2 Purple Hearts and was in the Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek, MI in Jan. 1947 and later transferred to Springfield, MO hospital and remained there for a year. He attended Clark Business School after his war service. He was employed by Lundgren Construction Company as an estimator for 17 years before retiring. He was a member of the Kaw Valley Ham Club, the Highland Park Optimist Club, was a life member of Capitol Post No. 1 of the American Legion and the D.A.V. Ken married Kathleen L. Macklin on February 2, 1952 in Lawrence, KS. She survives. Other survivors include their three children, Gary (Jody) Graves of Holton, Janet (Marvin) Manning of Topeka, Clifford Graves of Topeka, four grandchildren, Robert (Angie) Graves of Carl Junction, MO, Sara Dickson of Topeka, Amy (Ben) Faunce of Emporia, Tyler Graves of Topeka, four great-grandchildren, Natalie and Lorelai Dickson, Alyssa and Emily Graves and one brother, George Graves of Ottawa. Ken was preceded in death by his sister, Evelyn Collins. Services will held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Ken will lie in state from 3:00 – 8:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Heart of America Hospice, 3715 SW 29th, Suite 20, Topeka, KS 66614. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.