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Thomas Leon "Tom" Graves

Thomas Leon "Tom" Graves obituary, Fresno, CA

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Thompson Funeral Homes - Lexington

4720 Augusta Road

Lexington, South Carolina

Thomas Graves Obituary

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Thomas Leon Graves, known as Tom, was born on September 19, 1937, in Hereford, Texas. He was the sixth child of nine children. He had three older brothers, Bill, Bob, and John; two sisters, Patricia and Pansy; and three younger brothers, Haskell, Jim, and Alvin. His parents were Robert L. Graves and Delphia Ann Hamiter Graves.

In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his brothers Bill, Bob, John, Haskell, and Jim; his sisters Patricia and Pansy; his oldest son, Mark; and his granddaughter, Rachel. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, and his younger brother, Al, of Fresno, California. Other survivors include five children, thirteen grandchildren, twenty three great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren.

Tom's earlier years were spent in Texas, South Carolina, Oklahoma, and California. In October 1955, he entered the United States Air Force. After basic training, he served at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana; Bitburg Air Base in Germany; Castle Air Force Base in California; Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska; and Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina, where he retired after twenty four years and eight months of military service.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Thompson Funeral Home, located at 4720 Augusta Road, Lexington, South Carolina. Visitation for family will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by visitation for friends and family at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Tom's grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Following the funeral service, burial will take place at 1:00 p.m. at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, located at 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, South Carolina, where Tom will be interred with military honors.

For those unable to attend, the service will be streaming live via the following link:

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/f26046547210681

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Post and Courier - Columbia on Apr. 13, 2026.

Memories and Condolences
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6 Entries

Allen Hutchison

April 16, 2026

What an outstanding example of a Christian life lived for God! This was an outstanding man who loved God with all his heart! Amen.

Larry and Nancy Oswald

April 14, 2026

Tom, appreciate all that did for Twi-City church of Christ, the wisdom and kindness and most of all love. A Godly man you were to set high spiritual examples for all of us. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of one of His Saints" Love you , Tom

Gary Blanchette

April 14, 2026

Tom thank you for all your wisdom and kindness over the years may you rest in peace

Tim pugh

April 14, 2026

Tom (Dad) you may never know the profound influence you had on my life, personally and throughout my military career. Your guidance and inspiration shaped me into the person I am today. You will be deeply missed, but your legacy will never be forgotten.

Jewel M James

April 13, 2026

Will miss you sitting in front of Stevie and me at church, I´ll miss your quick humor, your late night call saying "my email" or "my remote isn´t working", my every Friday morning call to you and Margaret on the way to Augusta, being your uber to the airport, your growing up stories, I´m just really going to miss you, my friend!

The Staff of Thompson Funeral Home

April 13, 2026

Offering our deepest sympathies at this time.

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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Thompson Funeral Homes - Lexington

4720 Augusta Road, Lexington, SC 29073

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