Official Obituary of
Dane Graves
November 15, 1928 ~ April 26, 2018 (age 89) 89 Years Old
Dane Graves Obituary
Dane Graves, born November 15, 1928 to Ernest and Gretchen (Lucas) Graves of Dighton, Kansas, entered into eternal life April 26, 2018. Dane grew up in Longmont, Colorado; he worked at the Great Western Sugar Beet Company while attending Longmont High School. His passion for the great outdoors included hobbies of skiing, track, baseball, basketball, football and a love of horses.
The University of Colorado recruited Dane on a football scholarship. While attending CU Dane not only excelled in academics but in collegiate sports as well, named as an All-Star in Track and Football. Dane held the Consecutive Pass Completion Record for over 40 years until surpassed by Kordell Stewart who played in the NFL. Dane himself received four NFL recruiting offers before graduating with his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.
Instead he elected to serve his country with the United States Marine Corps days before graduation. Having been a sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserve since entering in June 1948, Dane received a commission as Second Lieutenant in June 1951. He served in Korea from May 1952 to February 1953 with the Marine Ground Control Intercept Squadron 3 of the 1st Marine Air Wing. There he was responsible for Ground Radar interception and flew combat missions in the F7F Tigercat as a radar operator. He held the rank of captain and was honorably discharged from the Marine Reserve in February 1959.
Upon returning home from Korea he returned to CU to earn his Masters in Business. Dane began his career at Western Electric before transferring to Mountain Bell in which he retired after 30 years of service. Along with his dedicated work ethics, Dane would enjoy raising Quarter Horses for well over 30 years. With his favorite horse being Smokey Stage. Dane belonged to the New Mexico Scottish Rite Bodies and Montezuma Lodge #1 AF & AM.
Dane and Paula Ellen, of Santa Fe, NM, became good friends in the 60’s and married in 1971. The two lived in Albuquerque for 17 years before retiring and moving to the beautiful mountainside of Howard, Colorado in 1989.
Dane would spend many years in the outdoors with his horses, camping with his wife and family, and always lending a helping cowboy hands to his many neighbors and friends.
He processed in death by his parents, Ernest and Gretchen Graves, brother Dean Graves, sister-in-law Janet Graves, brother-in-law Paul Pompeo III, and nephew Leroy Luna. He survived by his beautiful wife of 46 years, Paula Ellen, mother-in-law Nora Pompeo, sister and brother-in-law Phyllis and Jerry Allen and sister-in-law Diana Pompeo. Along with his nephew and nieces, Mark and Rose Graves, Zack and Margo Graves, Larry and Rachelle Luna, Paul James Pompeo, Annette and Billy Proctor, Michele and Jerome Garcia, Denise and Parker Dunwoody. He is well known as Papa and Uncle Dane to Lisa, Glynna, Shelby, Leigh, Justin, Brandon, Myka, Cody, Milo, Kylie, Jennifer, Heather, Connor, Madison, Michael, Mckenzie, Modesta, and Christopher.
A private family memorial will be held at a later date.
The University of Colorado recruited Dane on a football scholarship. While attending CU Dane not only excelled in academics but in collegiate sports as well, named as an All-Star in Track and Football. Dane held the Consecutive Pass Completion Record for over 40 years until surpassed by Kordell Stewart who played in the NFL. Dane himself received four NFL recruiting offers before graduating with his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.
Instead he elected to serve his country with the United States Marine Corps days before graduation. Having been a sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserve since entering in June 1948, Dane received a commission as Second Lieutenant in June 1951. He served in Korea from May 1952 to February 1953 with the Marine Ground Control Intercept Squadron 3 of the 1st Marine Air Wing. There he was responsible for Ground Radar interception and flew combat missions in the F7F Tigercat as a radar operator. He held the rank of captain and was honorably discharged from the Marine Reserve in February 1959.
Upon returning home from Korea he returned to CU to earn his Masters in Business. Dane began his career at Western Electric before transferring to Mountain Bell in which he retired after 30 years of service. Along with his dedicated work ethics, Dane would enjoy raising Quarter Horses for well over 30 years. With his favorite horse being Smokey Stage. Dane belonged to the New Mexico Scottish Rite Bodies and Montezuma Lodge #1 AF & AM.
Dane and Paula Ellen, of Santa Fe, NM, became good friends in the 60’s and married in 1971. The two lived in Albuquerque for 17 years before retiring and moving to the beautiful mountainside of Howard, Colorado in 1989.
Dane would spend many years in the outdoors with his horses, camping with his wife and family, and always lending a helping cowboy hands to his many neighbors and friends.
He processed in death by his parents, Ernest and Gretchen Graves, brother Dean Graves, sister-in-law Janet Graves, brother-in-law Paul Pompeo III, and nephew Leroy Luna. He survived by his beautiful wife of 46 years, Paula Ellen, mother-in-law Nora Pompeo, sister and brother-in-law Phyllis and Jerry Allen and sister-in-law Diana Pompeo. Along with his nephew and nieces, Mark and Rose Graves, Zack and Margo Graves, Larry and Rachelle Luna, Paul James Pompeo, Annette and Billy Proctor, Michele and Jerome Garcia, Denise and Parker Dunwoody. He is well known as Papa and Uncle Dane to Lisa, Glynna, Shelby, Leigh, Justin, Brandon, Myka, Cody, Milo, Kylie, Jennifer, Heather, Connor, Madison, Michael, Mckenzie, Modesta, and Christopher.
A private family memorial will be held at a later date.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dane Graves, please visit our floral store.
Friends and family have shared their relationship to show their support.
How do you know Dane Graves?
We are sorry for your loss.
Help others honor Dane's memory.
Email
Print
Copy
Services
Family to do services at later date
© 2024 Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home and Fairview Cemetery. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility