Dale Graves

DARBY - Dale Graves of Darby, MT, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2014. Dale was born in New Ross, IN on June 20, 1919. He was a pilot in the Army Air Corps in WWII. Post-war, Dale was instrumental in expanding U-Haul franchises in the Eastern US. In 1975, after a career with U-Haul in Portland, OR and Idaho Falls, ID, Dale settled on the land that he loved along the beautiful Bitterroot River with his wife Geri.

Dale is survived by his step-son, Dan Shaffer and life-partner Kim Anderton; his adopted daughter, Karri Tom; his grandchildren, Brandi Compton, Josh, Westlee and Max Tom; as well as nieces and nephews, John E. Ayers, Peter Graves Ayers, H. Matthew Ayers, Jean Ellen Rose, Mary Melinda Hanks, Stephen G. Pinnell, J. Michael Pinnell, Caren Graves and James Rust. He was preceded in death by his parents, Forrest and Carrie Graves; his wife, Geri; and his siblings, Imogene, Eileen, John (infant) and Wilmer.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to those who were instrumental in ensuring Dale's comfort and happiness in recent years, allowing Dale to remain at his home. We wish to thank great friends such as Jerry Ring and Craig Barrett, as well as loving caretakers Jo Austelle and the staff at Home-Instead, including Helen Ash, Sandra DuBose, and Loren Osler.

Dale was a big supporter of the American Red Cross and their work to aid in natural disasters. In lieu of flower, the family requests that donations are made in Dale's honor to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund at: www.redcross.org.