Florida citrus leader Richard Graves dies at 68
Florida citrus leader Richard Graves dies at 68
James Richard Graves Jr., former president and chief executive officer of Graves Bros. Co. in Wabasso, FL, died of a cancer-related illness Nov. 28 at age 68.
Mr. Graves served as a member of the Florida Citrus Commission in the 1980s and as a board member for Florida Citrus Mutual from 1978 to 1981. He also served on the board of directors of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association from 1982 to 1984, as its chairman in 1987 and as the organization's treasurer from 1992 to 1996.
Graves Bros. was founded in 1895 as a Southern sawmill and lumber company. When timber cutting was completed in the early 1920s, some companies' cutover land was drained and planted with citrus fruit and vegetable crops. Graves Bros. was one of those companies, and it is now among the older operations in continuous existence that grows and ships Indian River citrus fruit. Today the company has 10,000 agricultural acres of combined citrus and vegetable crops in Georgia and South Carolina, and in Indian River, St. Lucie and Hendry counties in Florida. It ships 1.2 million boxes of citrus annually.
Graves Bros. Co. continues to operate as a family-owned firm and is overseen by third- and fourth-generation family members. Its operations include a fresh citrus fruit-packing facility and over 7,200 acres of producing citrus orchards.
Mr. Graves played high school football and was known as a devoted University of Florida fan. He has been described as a strongly devoted family man who leaves an impressive legacy as a leader and champion for Florida farmers and citrus growers. He was also an avid fishing enthusiast.
Mr. Graves is survived by his wife, Mary Pfleger Graves, three children, five grandchildren and one sister.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Redlands Christian Migrant Association, headquartered in Immokalee, FL (800/282-6540).
Mr. Graves served as a member of the Florida Citrus Commission in the 1980s and as a board member for Florida Citrus Mutual from 1978 to 1981. He also served on the board of directors of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association from 1982 to 1984, as its chairman in 1987 and as the organization's treasurer from 1992 to 1996.
Graves Bros. was founded in 1895 as a Southern sawmill and lumber company. When timber cutting was completed in the early 1920s, some companies' cutover land was drained and planted with citrus fruit and vegetable crops. Graves Bros. was one of those companies, and it is now among the older operations in continuous existence that grows and ships Indian River citrus fruit. Today the company has 10,000 agricultural acres of combined citrus and vegetable crops in Georgia and South Carolina, and in Indian River, St. Lucie and Hendry counties in Florida. It ships 1.2 million boxes of citrus annually.
Graves Bros. Co. continues to operate as a family-owned firm and is overseen by third- and fourth-generation family members. Its operations include a fresh citrus fruit-packing facility and over 7,200 acres of producing citrus orchards.
Mr. Graves played high school football and was known as a devoted University of Florida fan. He has been described as a strongly devoted family man who leaves an impressive legacy as a leader and champion for Florida farmers and citrus growers. He was also an avid fishing enthusiast.
Mr. Graves is survived by his wife, Mary Pfleger Graves, three children, five grandchildren and one sister.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Redlands Christian Migrant Association, headquartered in Immokalee, FL (800/282-6540).
