Gordon Thomas Graves of Harrisburg and Texas
Gordon Thomas Graves, of South Padre Island, Texas, passed away at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at his residence in Harrisburg, Illinois.
Gordon was born on Jan. 13, 1937 in Crowell, Texas to the late Grady and Dannie (Pegeas) Graves. Gordon married Linda (Powell) Absher on Feb. 13, 2014 and she survives in Harrisburg.
Gordon graduated from the University of Texas in 1959 and received his MBA from the University of Texas in 1971. Gordon was an electrical engineer who was known as the "father of Indian gaming" by designing a machine that changed the face of Native American gaming. He was very proud of his contribution to the Indian tribes. He changed their lives. He was a member of the Lottery Hall of Fame.
Gordon was also the head engineer on the military project to allow the U-2 to gain greater altitude by integrating an inertial guidance system into the Doppler radar.
Gordon loved to travel, and he loved his family; in his later years he became an avid golfer. He had a poker group he adored; a book club that he enjoyed; he was a karaoke king and a mason. He was an audience pleaser. With his smile, he charmed everyone. He was an honest, hardworking, loyal gentleman.
Gordon was a generous philanthropist. Years ago he set up the Graves Foundation which gives large donations each year to worthy charities. He was given the honor of having a gymnasium named after him in the new Mercy Ship which was just christened. He also initiated a wonderful scholarship to students in Harrisburg and Carrier Mills because he loved this area and wanted to encourage higher education.
In his hometown of Crowell, Texas, the foundation is active with food banks and education, also. He loved his family with all his heart. He was a proud fifth generation Texan with his roots in Crowell and Austin, but he took Harrisburg to his heart, and he loved being part of this small community. He was a man among men. Our hearts are broken.
Gordon is survived by his wife, Linda Graves of Harrisburg; four children, Steve (Liliana) Graves of Cedar Park, Texas, Brenda Graves (Blake) Hammond of Colorado City, Texas, Beth Graves (David) Tarter of Wichita Falls, Texas and Jody Graves (David) Wood of Crowell, Texas; two stepchildren, Bryan (Sara) Absher of Bloomington, Indiana and Leslee (Chris) Brooks of Marion, Illinois; 17 grandchildren, Kristen (Watt) Daniel, Arturo (Cinthia) Perez, Lily (Paul) Ortiz, Adrian (Jasmine) Perez, Jeremy (Melissa) Tyra, Cori Tarter, Shannon (Doug) Willingham, Sara (Rashard) Pringle, Joshua (Jessica) Tyra, Tyler Wood, Brandi (Logan) Caddell, Wes (Mika) Wood, Caleb (Chandler) Wood, Clay (Kassandra) Eades, Rebecca (Robert) Garza, Amy (David) Castillo and Casey (Madison) Hammond; stepgrandchildren, Austin (Ben) Skutnik, Jay (Jessica) Duncan, Connor Absher, Zach Absher and Cassidy Absher; 46 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Bill Graves.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one grandchild.
Memorial services for Gordon Thomas Graves will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church of Harrisburg, with the Rev. Laurie Fields officiating. The family is requesting that all who attend wear a mask.
Memorials services in Austin, Texas will be announced at a later date and burial will follow in Crowell Texas.
Memorial contributions are invited to be made to Mercy Ships, P.O. Box 1930, Lindale, TX 75771 or online at www.mercyships.org.
Condolences may be left for the family on his obituary page at www.reedfuneralchapel.com.