Blake Everett Graves went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023 in McCamey, Texas. He was born on Dec. 10, 1982 in Odessa, Texas. He grew up in West Texas and Phoenix, Arizona and excelled in sports. He was a standout athlete in many sports including football, baseball, hockey, wrestling, softball, and golf. He also loved to water ski and snowboard. He earned many distinctions in sports as he was “All City” in wrestling and “All-District” in football. Adding to his athlete prowess, he was a wild steer saddling champion five years running in the World Championship Barbados Cookoff in Rankin, Texas.

He graduated from Mt. Pointe High School in Phoenix, Arizona in 2001 and attended Mesa Community College in Phoenix, Arizona as well as Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas.

Most recently he shared his love of sports with his sons as he coached for the Crane County Coyotes in the Permian Basin Youth Football League and in the McCamey Little League baseball. The Crane County Coyotes won the Permian Basin Youth Football League Super Bowl. It was an incredible feeling for Blake as he was so proud of his team and their commitment to their sport and each other.

As a resident of Mc-Camey, Blake was employed by Medallion Midstream as an Area Operator in the oilfields of west Texas. Earlier in his career he specialized in Wind Resource Tower Construction. He truly enjoyed working in the oil fields with his many friends and co-workers. He was also a McCamey City Councilman and enjoyed serving the town he loved.

He is survived by his wife, Diana, and his three sons, Gavin, Giovanni and Ryker. His parents are Ron and Becky Jones of Chandler, Arizona, Charlie and Paula Graves of Granbury, Texas and Gerald and Betty Borron of Fort Worth, Texas. His three brothers are William Bradley (Tracy) Borron of Garden Ridge, Texas, Ryan Jones of Phoenix, Arizona and Justin (Danielle) Jones of Scottsdale, Arizona. He is survived by his cherished nieces and nephews including Cole, Ty and Kate Borron, Frankie and Roman DeAcetis, and Amelia, Josie and Parker Jones. His aunts and uncles are Bill and Elle Lawrence, Kathy Jones, Rick (Barb) Jones, Perry (Kay) Graves and Cindy (Jerry) King. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bill and Venita Lawrence of Ft. Stockton, Texas, Darrell and Betty Graves of Mc-Camey, Texas and Harold & Betty Jones of Phoenix, Arizona.

Mr. Graves’ celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Crane, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to help support his three boys: Blake’s Boys GoFundMe account organized by his brother, Brad Borron: https://gofund. me/617d955d.