Graves, James T. 1934-2026 St. Joseph, Mo.
James Thomas Graves, born on Nov. 14, 1934, passed away peacefully at home, in St. Joseph, on Epiphany, Jan. 6, 2026, surrounded by his wife of 68 years, Karen, his beloved cats, and his eldest daughter, Leslie. He was 91.
Graves, known as “Jim” or “James T.” to friends and family, is also lovingly remembered by his youngest daughter, Amy, and daughter-in-law, Anne. His middle daughter, Sarah, preceded him in death in 1985.
A hard-working, principled man, Graves practiced law in various capacities for 50 years, earning the respect of colleagues and clients alike. After graduating third in his law school class at the University of Kansas and embarking on a promising legal career in Salina, Kansas, he changed horses in 1971 to join the family business, Graves Truck Line. He served as vice-president and legal counsel and then president of the company until it was sold. His leadership reflected his dedication to the founders of the company as well as the people who helped it thrive.
Graves’ professional qualifications made him an attractive candidate for the directorship of many boards and organizations, both non-profit and for-profit, in areas such as transportation, health care, banking, and business lending. He served for decades as a board director of Heartland Health, the fourth largest hospital system in the Kansas City metropolitan area, as well as for the Family Guidance Mental Health Center of Northwest Missouri.
Beyond his many professional accomplishments, he will be remembered for his keen intellect, integrity, and wide-ranging reading habits. A well-known tactic for pleasing Graves at Christmas, birthdays, or Father’s Day was to give him a legal thriller, biography, or a deep dive into American or regional history.
Graves also found great joy in music, especially jazz. Having learned to play the drums in his early youth, he put himself through college at Kansas State performing with dance bands and jazz ensembles. Jazz often played on the sound system at home, and in his later years Graves got a trap set and found a trio that he could play with in gigs throughout St. Joseph.
In addition to his professional and musical pursuits, Graves was an avid runner and dedicated marathoner. He completed the New York City Marathon in 1984 with childhood friend, Steve Schmidt, and daughter, Amy, as well as races in other cities, a testament to his discipline and love of personal challenge. Speaking of challenges: the rose garden that he cultivated, after much trial and error, in the back yard of his home in Salina was the envy of neighbors and a highlight of annual garden tours.
A lifelong Republican until the election of Barack Obama, Graves was an independent thinker who engaged deeply with the world around him. In later years, he took great enjoyment in watching Rachel Maddow, whose intellect and insight resonated with his own curiosity and sense of fairness.
Graves leaves a legacy of critical thinking, steadfast loyalty, and quiet perseverance that will endure in the hearts of family and friends who knew him best.
Service of Remembrance will be held at the First Presbyterian Church 301 North 7th St., St. Joseph, on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at 3 p.m. Reception at Church will follow.
In lieu of flowers, if you choose, please make a gift to the First Presbyterian Church or Family Guidance Mental Health Center of Northwest Missouri. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
