James Graves doesn't let retirement stop him from lending a hand

James Graves spent 20 years serving his country and now spends his days serving his community. He lives by the words, “always put your best foot forward.”

Graves, 77, was raised on a small farm in South Carolina. He woke up early each morning to slop the hogs and feed the mules.

“We had mules because we couldn’t afford horses,” Graves said. In October 1950, Graves’ father bought a red and gray Ford tractor. “We thought we were something then,” Graves said.

Although Graves enjoyed the simple farm lifestyle as a child, he said he knew in his heart farming wasn’t going to be his career because he wanted to drive. And, Graves did just that when he acquired a license to drive a school bus at the age of 17.

“I had the longest bus out there too,” he said.

Graves’ love of transportation eventually led him to join the Air Force where he trained from coast to coast. He spent time at several bases including Alaska and England where he worked as a diesel mechanic.

“It was filthy, heavy work,” he said.

Graves said he learned a lot during his career and a small portion of that education was picking up a little of the language and submersing himself in the culture while stationed in Paris.

“We lived downtown,” he said, “and we had favorite restaurants, but you had to get to know the food.”

To this day, a few French phrases roll easily off Graves’ tongue.

Graves eventually moved back stateside where he was chosen to become part of the Atlas missile program. He spent four years at Whiteman Air Force Base as part of the quality control team. Inside Graves’ cozy home, where a B-2 pilot Teddy bear sits on the couch, a folder holds dozen of glossy black and white photographs of his time in the Air Force.

“I loved the military,” he said as he shuffled through the old photographs, “it was training, training, training, and I learned a lot.”

After two decades in the service, the father of four retired and bought an 18-wheel tractor-trailer rig with a refrigerated trailer. Graves said the money was good in those days because diesel fuel cost 39 cents a gallon. As the months turned into years, Graves soon realized he was ready to be closer to home.

“I was never home,” he said, “and money didn’t mean everything.”

So, Graves parked his rig, but he didn’t give up his driving career. He applied and was accepted as a bus driver for the City of Lincoln in Nebraska, where he originally met his wife. He retired as a city bus driver when he was 62-years-old, moved back to Sedalia with his family and became a property owner. Graves said he rented out a few houses he owned, before deciding they were more trouble than they were worth. However, he still owns and rents the original home he bought in Sedalia in January 1966.

While Graves is officially retired, that hasn’t slowed him down. He starts each morning at 6 a.m. with quiet meditation in his comfortable easy chair praying and studying his Bible, preparing for his day. He stays fit by gardening, maintaining the two acres surrounding his house and cutting wood for his wood-burning stove.

And he doesn’t stop there. He also serves on three local boards, including Habitat for Humanity, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Diversity Community Outreach program. And he is chairman of the Deacon Board at Ward Memorial Baptist Church. Graves said he enjoys working on the Habitat for Humanity homes.

“The foundation was just poured on our 21st home,” he said.

He also believes in the services RSVP provides.

“We keep old people working and give them something to do,” Graves said.  He also volunteers at Open Door, which is one of his favorite community-service activities.

“I get to witness there,” he said. “I say praise the Lord and God bless you.”

Other than enjoying college football, Graves said he has no hobbies other than community service.

“I’ve never met a stranger,” he said, “and all these programs I support are helping people.”