Ray Graves

Birth date: Dec 31, 1918 Death date: Apr 10, 2015

In tribute to Florida Gator Hall of Fame Football Coach Ray Graves, a memorial book will be available for friends and fans to sign at WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME DOWNTOWN, 404 North Main Street and WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WE Read Obituary

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Williams - Thomas Downtown

404 N. Main St., Gainesville FL 32601

352-376-7556

Kindred Family

579w ago

So sorry to hear this sad news about Ray. We send our sincere condolences to you and your family. May God continue to comfort you during this sad (Ps.34:18) and difficult time. Ray will be sadly missed by many.

Bob Lynch

579w ago

Dear Opal and Family:
My memories of your beloved Ray spanned 1960-2002. We visited frequently when I was a Fort Lauderdale sports writer and more often during my 1964-73 stint as UF's director of information services. Ray deserves full credit for the origin of Gator Golf Day in 1971, inviting former Florida golfers back to raise funds for the program. That dream took six years to materialize after Tommy Aaron, Frank Beard, Bob Murphy and Laurie Hammer did a 9-hole exhibition at University Golf Club. Ray's "day job" coaching the football team interfered with his ambitious golf idea until just dealing with athletic director chores allowed more flexibility.
The day he turned 51 on Dec. 31, 1969, was the same day I drew the short straw and announced Doug Dickey as Ray's successor on a deserted University of Florida campus. Ray was at the Gator Bowl Basketball Tournament in Jacksonville and President Stephen C. O'Connell was on a Tallahassee hunting trip. Belated thanks to Ray for that lifelong memory.
All of you please stay healthy and safe as we continue to miss the "Bull Gator."

BOB LYNCH, High Springs

Cornie Belle Vancel Mccloud

580w ago

for Opal
Our family has followed your husband's career in football and admired him very much. I still have a picture of you and him when you were married that was in the Knoxville newspaper. May God bless you at this difficult time.
Cornie Belle Vancel McCloud

Mark Peacock

580w ago

From Eddie labarron to Charles Casey to spurrier to Richard trapp to Steve tanned to the super Sophs, there was always Coach Graves. Great coach, great man, great gator. RIP

Kitty Mahoney Lilly

580w ago

This is for Katherine from Kitty Mahoney Lilly Theta sister! I just read of your Dad's death in this mornings Palm Beach Post. I have thought of you so often over the years. I would love to catch up/see you.

Your dad is a complete legend. Did we even realize when we were at U of F the legacy he was creating? I well remember the fun "perks" we got to share in, like the house on the beach in St. Augustine.

I hope life has been good to you. We still have our main home in Bethesda MD where there are now 19 of us! But we became FL residents in prep for Frank selling his company. We are in Palm Beach now- leaving for the end of season around April 29. God bless and take care. Maybe we can chat/visit after you get through all of this. Will your Mom and sisters be with you?

Kitty
301-325-5956
[email protected]

Mimi Ryan

580w ago

Ray Graves was there when the women's athletic program, Lady Gator Sports, got started. Thank You for helping make the dreams of so many women come true.

Mimi Ryan

Gale Ferguson Hinton

580w ago

I will never forget the Graves family...they were a part of our family for as long as I can remember. I am Gale Ferguson Hinton. Daughter of Ralph and Juanita Ferguson. Knoxville,TN. Edwin graves Rays brother was like a father to me. Ray lived a great and long life Left the world a better place. That is what we should all be remembered for. My SYMPATHY. to the family. Gale Ferguson Hinton

CARED FOR BY

Williams - Thomas Downtown

404 N. Main St., Gainesville FL 32601

352-376-7556

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