DR. JAMES HENRY GRAVES
September 29, 1924 - November 21, 2008

"He also was a government informer, divulged the information he gained about his clients. It was the reason that prompted him to suddenly and abruptly resign his post as director of Oakland County Community Mental Health. Complaints against him were filed with the Michigan Psychiatric Association. He was unstable, held many prestigious position, but to lose thm in a short time."

"In remembrance of my best friend James Graves, M.D. I can do no better than to repeat what I said at his 70th birthday 23 years ago. Jim is a one-man academy. A neuroscientist, an accomplished psychiatrist, a psychotherapist extraordinaire, an academic teacher, a political leader, a musician, a linguist, a wonderful friend and, according to Sue, a great lover and now he is even 70. He is a prodigious worker who does see patients until 11 p.m. I often see him leave for work at 7 a.m. He has always been a bibliophile; he finds time to read in Sanskrit, Hebrew and Greek. In 1958, Jim and I met at a party in Ann Arbor. He just became Director of Detroit Receiving Hospital Department of Psychiatry. I was employed by Ypsilanti State Hospital. My credentials were rather meager, to say the least. Nevertheless, Jim offered me the job of Director of In-Patient Service and a partnership in his private practice in Grosse Pointe. Jim has contributed a great deal to my feeling at home in America and being successful in my profession. Jim's achievements are particularly impressive if seen in the context of his background. There was no silver spoon in his mouth when he was born in Southern Illinois, only, so to say, a coal miner's shovel. Life has not been always easy for him. However, neither life-threatening illness nor family difficulties did diminish his zest for life. He works hard, is happily married, continues his intellectual pursuits. Jim and Sue just built a new home in the Upper Peninsula. They plan to live there someday when Jim gets old. Happy birthday!"

"Thinking of you and remembering Jim at this time. May he be truly celebrated!! Rev. Kayle, former MUUC minister"

"Jim is the father of my dear friend Adrienne. My memories of him are those of a child, gathered while playing in their big house in Grosse Pointe Park in the 50's and early 60's. Dr. Graves always took time to talk and share his thoughts, even with this youngster. He had a wonderful, big laugh and presence. I remember being somewhat awed by him. A clear memory of mine was watching Jim practice his classical guitar. He was reading a piece of music with his glasses perched on the end of his nose. With a laserlike concentration, he made his guitar sing like Segovia's, at least to my ears. I also recall that he greatly encouraged his children's musical interests. He had a wonderful sense of fun, and really enjoyed getting down on the floor to play, be silly, sing, and generally honor the child in himself. Dr. Jim Graves, I will always remember you, and I'm thankful for the time, many years ago, we knew each other."

"Now cracks a noble heart..fond memories from 1942"

"We want to express our heartfelt sympathy to the family of Dr Graves. We have been fortunate to have known the Graves/Frederick family for many years. Alli and Stacey were a grade apart at University of Liggett where both of their mothers taught. Stacey had the privlege of having Sue Frederick Graves as a homeroom teacher, an experience she remembers fondly. Sue also shares with Stacey their survivorship from Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. We feel blessed to have seen Dr Graves at Emek Tanay's 80th birthday party in March 2008. There wasn't a dry eye in the room when Dr Graves spoke of his longtime friendship with Dr Emek Tanay. Despite his ailing health over the years, Dr Graves has remained a pleasure to visit with when visiting with Sue in Ann Arbor. He will forever be remembered fondly by our family. Prayers of peace and healing are extended to his entire family and those who mourn his passing. Fondly, David, Stacey, Rachel, James and Catherine Tanay"

"Jim will be forever missed - to say one would never be bored in his presence is an understatement as would be to say that he was a phenominal person. His knowledge, his intellect, his humor and his warm nature sum up only a few of the reasons that we all enjoyed and cherished being his friend. We will miss you, Jim, but you will remain forever in our hearts. Everlasting fondness, Eddie and Marlene"

"To all the Graves: Helen, Chrissy, Nick & Bau, The passing of Jim, husband and father came not as a shock, but more of time passing. In reflection, a person who was unique, loving, kind, thoughtful and full of life, with many talents. For me I was privileged to have been a part of his life. Often, I remembered how hard he worked and how much he gave of himself in whatever he did. I benefited from his presence. Goodbye friend, thank you for the time we had together."

"TO THE GRAVES FAMILY: WE WERE SHOCKED AND SADDENED TO LEARN OF DR. GRAVE'S PASSING. HE WAS SUCH A GIFTED, TALENTED AND INTELLIGENT PERSON WITH SUCH A HUGH HEART. AS A PATIENT OF HIS, MOST OF MY LIFETIME, HE HELPED ME AND TOUCHED MY LIFE IN SO MANY WAYS. HE WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR HIS PATIENTS AND ALWAYS MADE TIME FOR THEM, EVEN IF WE HAD TO GO TO HIS HOUSE TO MEET WITH HIM. DR. GRAVES WAS ALWAYS SO DOWN TO EARTH AND EVEN THOUGH HE HELD SO MANY HIGH POSITIONS, HE NEVER ACTED BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE AND WAS ALWAYS SO HAPPY GO LUCKY WITH SUCH A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR. HE WAS ONE OF THE SMARTEST MEN THAT I EVER HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE OF KNOWING. SUE, I FEEL SO PRIVILEGED THAT I WAS ABLE TO MEET YOU. YOU TWO MADE SUCH A NICE COUPLE AND YOU ALWAYS MADE HIM SO HAPPY. DR. GRAVES WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. MY FAMILY JOINS ME IN EXTENDING OUR HEARTFELT THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO ALL OF YOU. MARGIE DEEB & FAMILY"

"To the family of Jim Graves, You have my deepest sympathy. I only learned of Jim's passing today. I am Jim's second cousin. I remember meeting Jim several times when he was visiting his mother, Joyce in Herrin. She and "Uncle" Henry were favorite people and we loved to visit them when in Herrin. And later, Joyce always had an open door when, as a college kid, I needed a weekend home. Jim was amazing himself, but was also part of a truly amazing family that accomplished so very much with their lives. My best wishes to the family."

"Sue: I just happen to be looking for the notice of the passing of a good friend of mine when I was saddened to see that Jim had passed on in November. It has been my great pleasure to have known both you and Jim. You and he are both gracious and giving people. It was great to have been able to sing in Choral Society with Jim. He was always a good person to be around. He always had a smile on his face and an encouraging word on his lips. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. May God keep you in his hands. Dave Wurster"