Thomas Allen Graves

April 6, 1952 - October 2, 2019

Thomas Allen Graves Thomas (Tom) Allen Graves passed away October 2, 2019 at the University of Kansas Medical Center from complications related to Leukemia. Tom was born to Jess & Anna Graves in Bois D’Arc, Missouri on April 6, 1952. Tom lived most of his life in the north-central Missouri and the Kansas City area where he build a strong brotherhood of life-long, loyal friends. Tom is survived by his wife, hunting buddy, riding partner, and soulmate of 17 years, Kathryn Louise Graves (Purnell); two sisters, Kathy Graves (whom he always called “Hoot”) of Trenton, Missouri and Linda Hobbs of Springfield, Missouri; two natural children, Thomas Harley Graves and Jamie Lynn Allumbaugh (Graves); two stepchildren, Russ Bishop and Trisha Bishop; a foster son, Kenny Stevens; twelve grandchildren, Hazel, Georgia, Aiden, Lily, Skye, Tori, Lexi, Chad, Reese, Cruz, Corben, and Brekyn; and four nieces and nephews, Joe Hobbs, Sherry Ruff (Reeve), Trampas Hobbs, and Brad Reeve; as well as numerous great-nieces and nephews; all of whom he loved dearly and taught well. Tom spent the majority of his over 40-year career as a fuel transport driver for Amoco Oil, transitioning to Carter Petroleum for the last phase of his career where he served as the manager of Driver Training and Safety. Tom took great pride in his work, which was evidenced by having driven nearly two million miles without causing an accident or injury. This made him an excellent, albeit slightly impatient, trainer for other transport drivers and he honed those skills teaching his children to drive. Tom was famous for having a sidecar attached to his Harley-Davidson. This was not merely some statement of style or fashion but stemmed from his desire to include his family in his passion. His son’s favorite memories were of riding in the sidecar, where he would ask Tom to stand it up sideways on right-hand turns; something his son never dared attempt on his own as he believed it to be a skill that only his father could have mastered. Left-hand turns were not boring either, as the view from the sidecar of smoke rolling off the rear tire when he whacked the throttle was equally thrilling. Tom’s passion for hunting was ignited when he, at the suggestion of his great friend Gary Vernon, took up archery hunting. More important than the hunt, Tom relished in the peacefulness of sitting silently, observing nature, and listening to the woods talk. It was during these times that he found clarity of thought. His experiences hunting compelled him to pursue taxidermy as a hobby, to which he applied his attention to detail and artistic talents to recreate the beauty of nature with the deer that were harvested. A celebration of life will be held at Crowder State Park, Shelter #2 outside of Trenton, Missouri on Saturday, October 12, 2019 beginning at 2:00 PM. Prior to the celebration, a motorcycle ride from Gail’s Harley-Davidson in Grandview, Missouri to the celebration of life event via state highways will take place. Anyone wishing to participate in the ride must arrive at Gail’s prior to “kickstands up” at 10:00 AM. Detailed route information will be shared via social media prior to the ride. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the University of Kansas Medical Center Patient Care fund as a tribute to the wonderful, compassionate care the staff provided to Tom during his stay. https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/giving/ways-to-give/make-a-gift/cancer-care