Dr. Carl Watson Graves, 79, of Bushnell, FL died September 24, 2024.

He was born in Jackson, MS in 1945 to parents, Wilna and Raymond Graves and welcomed by his older brother Ray.

His boyhood - on a pony ranch in Ridgeland, MS and in small-town Seminary, MS - was full of experiences and people that would begin to mold the "Character" he would become.

He enlisted in the Army in August 1963 and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, beginning a military career that spanned decades.

At different points in that varied career he was an enlisted soldier, Infantry, Airborne, Special Forces, an Infantry Officer, a Medical Corps Officer, 75th Ranger Regiment Surgeon, a National Guardsman, a Flight Surgeon; he was Commander of a hospital unit multiple times, and he ultimately retired from active duty as a Colonel in the US Air Force.

His military service opened the door for him to attend Millsaps College, and he seized the opportunities presented along the way to enter the medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS and to pursue his further medical training there and in the Army beyond.

Dr. Graves was a beloved family physician in Dade City, FL, where he was in private practice from 1978-1991. He returned to private practice again following his retirement from the Air Force in 1998 until 2003, when he accepted a position with the Veterans Health Administration. He served the VA at several locations until his retirement in 2014.

He was proud of his own and of others' service in the military and medical fields and mentored and supported service members and medical professionals, as well as lifting them up in prayer.

Reluctant to hang up the white coat, he continued doing locum tenens work in clinics as needed.

In "retirement", he enjoyed a contented life in the country with his loving wife Linda Maupin-Graves and their Great Danes.

He was a voracious reader, an entertaining storyteller, an avid outdoorsman, and loyal friend.

A devoted, proud, and loving father, he is survived by his children, Maj. Joel M. Graves, U.S. Army Retired (Jeni), Sarah (David M. Rom), and Megan (Col. Paul J. Kassebaum); their mother, his former wife and lifelong friend Marilyn Graves; his stepson Steven Farahay (Tammy) and stepdaughter Susan Tavares (Alex); and grandchildren Elizabeth Rom, Kodi Christian, Susanna Rom, Gavin Graves, Henry Kassebaum, Morgan Graves, James Rom, Timothy Kassebaum, Savannah Shaffner (Ryan), Carolina Farahay, Nola Tavares, and August Tavares.

A service will be held in his memory at the First Presbyterian Church of Dade City on Monday, October 7, 2024 at 2 p.m.

Visitation with the family will be at the church from 1-2 p.m. with the service following.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Dade City.

Military and first responders who wish to wear their uniforms are encouraged to do so.