Eugene Graven, 1942 – 2003
Volney Eugene “Gene” Graven was born to Volney Elsworth and Darlene (Osborne) Graven on Aug. 6, 1942, in Wichita, KS, and passed away Aug. 3, 2003, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Gene graduated in 1960 from East High School in Wichita, where he later married Connie Rae Frizzell on May 29, 1965. They moved from Guthrie to Tahlequah in 1973.
Gene opened his own car dealership, known to all as Gene’s Auto Mart. Gene loved sports cars and test driving for speed. He was of the Jehovah’s Witness faith, where he loved serving and working for his church. He played racquetball and loved to snow ski. But most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and his many friends.
Gene was preceded in death by both beloved grandparents.
Gene is survived by his wife, Connie of the home; two children, Niccoli Riley (John) of Austin, Texas, and Brianna Arnold of Tulsa; his parents; three brothers, Darryl Graven, (Bobbi) of Independence, KS, Rod Graven, (Karen) of Edmond, and Dan Graven, (Diana) of Oklahoma City; one grandchild, Beau Colvin of Austin, Texas; many nieces, nephews and cousins; as well as a host of friends and loved ones.
Memorial services for Gene Graven, 60, of Tahlequah, were at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9, 2003, at the Hart Funeral Home Chapel, with Dave Clark officiating.
