John Lee Graft Obituary

Description: John Lee Graft Obituary... Our Heartfelt Condolences To His Loved Ones...

Obituary

John Lee Graft passed away peacefully at home with his family in Fowler on Friday, 15 March, 2024. He was born on 14 September, 1947 in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana to William John Graft and Mary Jane (Fast) Graft. He grew up in the Fort Wayne area and attended Fort Wayne public schools. He graduated from Central Fort Wayne H.S. with the class of 1965. He went off and joined the merchant marines soon after. During his formative years he worked for the railroad, trucking, then as a mine electrician in Colorado. He was an instrument technician for many years for a company in the oil and gas industry and retired in 1998. Then they moved from Rye to Fowler soon after.

John met Mary Margaret (France) on a blind date set up by mutual friends and they eloped 11 Feb, 1967 after a whirlwind romance. They were married again in the Catholic church on 8 April, 1967 in Fort Wayne, IN at Precious Blood, her local parish. Then were sealed for time and all eternity in the LDS Salt Lake Temple in SLC, UT on 15 June, 1984. John and Mary were married for 55 years and had 5 daughters together. The Graft’s moved from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Colorado in 1977 and lived in multiple cities over the years.

He was a beloved son, brother, husband, grandpa, great-grandpa, and friend. He was considered by his family to be a well of knowledge. He was an avid reader who loved history from ancient to modern, railroad, medical, science, computer design, and programing topics. He had many hobbies, beyond reading, he liked to camp, fish, and explore nature like his parents. He learned how to fly and loved flying Cessna planes. He loved to target practice and ride horses. He loved to watch football and auto racing, especially NASCAR events. In his final years he loved watching programming on railroading and enjoyed cartoons from his childhood. He loved to laugh and play jokes on everyone in his family. His most memorable practical joke was when he crawled into the front door of the house covered in a bear skin pretending to be a real bear! His wife whacked him with the kitchen broom while he laughed and laughed because everyone in the house was running and screaming away in terror. That bearskin remains on his bedroom wall to this day.

He was good at everything he set his mind to do; he fixed his own vehicles, rebuilt or repaired many parts of his homes over the years. He collected books, model cars, and other work-related memorabilia. He loved to travel and explore. Every time he moved with his family, he would take them on day/weekend trips to explore the state or area they lived. He liked to cook but made most dishes on the spicy side: His favorite was gumbo.

He was always interested and learned about many religions. After he was married, he investigated and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as an adult. His wife joined shortly after. He had many callings over the years and was a Ward Clerk and Ward Mission Leader for many years when the family lived in Florence and Rye. His favorite calling was his time as a Ward Mission Leader in Canon City 2nd and Rye wards. Where he had the opportunity to get to work with and know many missionaries from all over the world who served in those areas.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Margaret (France) Graft, his Father, William John Graft, and his Mother, Mary Jane (Fast) Graft. He is survived by his 5 daughters: Kimberly (Graft) and Terry Allen; Leah Graft; Rebecca (Graft) and J. Michael Holdren; Amanda (Graft) and Jarrod Efird; and Jennifer Graft all living in CO. His siblings: June (Graft) and Don Rush of Indiana; Ginger (Graft) Hedges of Indiana, Norman and Micky Graft, of Utah; and Richard and Carolyn Graft of Arizona; and Brother-in-Law: Michael France of Indiana. There are also 7 Nephews and 3 Nieces and their families. He is also survived by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Christopher (Brock) Allen of CO; Jessica (Allen) and Joseph Ure and their children: Griffin, Eve, and Tadd of CO; Elizabeth (Allen) and Andrew Collette and children: Phoenix, Malakai, and Everest of UT; Benjamin Long and Morgan Simpson of CO, Emma Long of ID; Samuel Long and Alora Green of CO; Ammon Long of CO; Jonah Long and Kristen Solis of CO; Lauren (Lucero) and Patrick Morrell and children: Allina and Lucas of CO; Ashleigh (Holdren) and Julio Franco and children: Ava and Adrian of CO; Adelaide (Efird) and James Black and Amelia of CO; Taylor (Efird) and Nicholas Colburn of AL; Jacob Efird of CO who just finished serving a Mission for the LDS church in the Nashville, TN Mission; Aaron Efird of CO; Effie (Winkler) and Colby Nelson of CO; Owen William Graft of CO.

Services Held on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024 at 10:00am at Bellwood Ustick Funeral Home.

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