Jack Graves

Jack G. Graves, age 74 of Bremerton, died May 9, 2001 at Harrison Memorial Hospital from complications of heart failure, lymphoma, and pneumonia.He was born on March 14, 1927 in Flint, Michigan, where he studied piano and cello as a child and wrote his first musical composition at age twelve. He worked in a record store while attending Northern High School in Flint, and played cello in the Flint Symphony.In 1946, he studied at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, and played cello in the Bethany Symphony Orchestra. He later moved to El Paso, Texas, and played in the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, and managed a record store there. Jack studied piano and composition at the Naval School of Music in Washington, D.C.Eager to enjoy the mountains and waters of the Pacific Northwest, he moved to Seattle, Washington, in 1949 and studied at the Cornish School and played in the Seattle Civic Orchestra, which performed several of his compositions. In 1950, he became a representative for Capitol Records in Portland, Oregon. In 1953, he returned to Seattle and was a representative for Columbia Records until 1976. He was the owner of the prestigious 5th Avenue Record Shop in Seattle for five years.Several of his compositions were performed by the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra, including ''Symphonic Walz'' (1965), and ''Seattle, A Symphonic Portrait'' (1966). The Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra featured his ''Olympic Rain Forest'' (1966), ''Joyous Overture'' (1972) and ''Lyric Symphony in D Major'' (1977).Some of Jack's symphonies and shorter works were published worldwide. One of his most popular is the ''Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' symphony, which was inspired by an animation project with Rob McVeigh. The music was used in a full feature documentary, ''The Life and Times of L. Frank Baum and the Royal History of Oz.''As an avid sailor and sailing instructor, Jack was inspired by Will Stout's Global Citizen Society to compose a symphonic suite about the organization's Arctic Sailing Expedition. The Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra premiered his ''Global Citizens Suite'' in 1994.In 1988, Graves, together with Stephen Lamson and R. Joseph Scott, formed the Northwest Composers Forum, which promotes and supports composers in the northwest. Jack Graves and Stephen Lamson combined their musical talents in several other works, including the ''American Dream March'', and Lamson's symphonic odyssey, ''LaGuerre'', which Jack arranged and orchestrated.Jack was a jovial and passionate man, and loved by all who knew him. In 1998, he purchased a home in the Illahee area of Bremerton, where he loved the quiet serenity. Although Jack was an orphan and had no survivors, he had a unique family of friends, musicians, sailors, and artists whom often referred to him as ''Captain Jack'' or ''Uncle Jack''.Suggested memorials may be sent to the Cousteau Society or the Ronald McDonald House, or of one's choice.Jack will be buried at Fraola Cemetery, 6456 SE Mullenix Road, near Port Orchard, Washington at a private ceremony officiated by his long time friend, Fr. John Foster. Visitation will be Saturday, May 12th, at Rill Chapel, 1151 Mitchell Avenue in Port Orchard, from 10am to 2pm. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, June 10, 2001 from 2:00 to 5:00pm on the shores of Lake Washington at Stan Sayres Pits near Genesee Park in Seattle.