Rodney "Joe" Graves

Rodney “Joe” Graves was born on October 14, 1954, and went to be with Jesus and his family in Heaven on November 26, 2025, at the age of seventy one.

Memorial services will be at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, December 14, 2025, in Pavillard Baptist Church, 6500 Pavillard St. Military honors will be provided by Volleys for Veterans.

He was raised by his maternal grandparents Alfred and Viola Ince, mostly in Amarillo, Texas, and spent a short period of his childhood living in Mississippi. “Joe” as he was known, was one of eleven children, and had a twin sister with whom he was very close.

Joe loved playing guitar and riding motorcycles, and was in ROTC while he attended Amarillo High School. After graduating, Joe joined the U.S. Navy, and was discharged for medical reasons.

Upon returning home, Joe enrolled in the diesel mechanic school at TSTI, and graduated. Joe had a great passion for riding motorcycles and racing old muscle cars. His favorite rides included riding through Palo Duro Canyon with his son and grandson. Another of his favorite moments was working on cars with his son and grandson, and making a big pot of two-alarm chili with his son. Joe also dearly loved holidays when he, his son and grandson would raise the American flag with a crane provided by his son’s employer.

When asked what his most important life lessons were, he said, “Treat people the way you want to be treated.”

Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 18 years, Tina Cross; his grandparents, Alfred and Viola Ince; his parents, Arron and Lillian Graves; brothers, Dale Graves and Donald Graves; his sisters, Sharla Standish, Mary Long, and his twin, Joanne Molina; and his stepson, Larry Cross.

Joe is survived by his son, Nicholus Graves; adopted daughter, Leeann Irlbeck; granddaughter, Alexandra Rankin; grandson, Jordan Graves; brothers, Jerry Graves and wife Linda, David Graves and wife Laila, Robert Graves and wife Penny, Paul Graves, and Ron Graves; stepsons, Bryan Cross and wife Brittany, Chris Cross and wife Shannon; as well as many nieces and nephews.