James "Jay" Douglas Graves

James “Jay” or “JD” Douglas Graves, US Navy (RET), passed away on June 1, 2026 at the age of 84. He was born on March 22, 1942 in Birmingham, Alabama to Aldora (Key) Graves and Ottis H. Graves, who both are deceased.

Jay retired from the US Navy in October 1981 following 22 years of distinguished service in Beeville, TX; Meridian, MS; Norfolk, VA; Pensacola, FL; Fallon, NV; Quonset Point, RI; Maine, Japan, Guam, and DaNang, Vietnam. On March 23, 1965, Jay was on the USS Intrepid (CF-11) when they picked up the Gemini 3 capsule with astronauts Guss Grissom and John Young aboard, after their flight circling the Earth. He was deployed to the Canary Islands to investigate the crash of a military plane.

He was a Chief Petty Officer AE (Aircraft Electrician) and after retirement, he used that knowledge to work for the Naval Aviation Depot in Pensacola. He transferred from NADEP Pensacola with the BRAC (base realignment) to Jacksonville. After serving 20 years as a Federal Employee (Aircraft Electrician and Senior Quality Assurance Specialist) at NADEP Jax, he retired with 42 years working for the Federal Government.

He enjoyed the Masons for 40+ years. He joined the Masons on April 16, 1984, Gardendale, Alabama – Lodge #907, Pensacola, FL and transferred his membership on July 22, 2009 to Orange Park Lodge #267. He served as Senior Deacon and Senior Steward at OP Lodge.

He belonged to the Knights Templar from Pensacola and Jacksonville, FL. In 1994, Jay became a Noble of Morocco Shriners. Among his many accomplishments, he was especially proud of his years as a Streetwalker, serving as President of the Streetwalkers and helping raise funds for Shriners Children's Hospitals. Supporting the children and the mission of the Shriners was always close to his heart. He was the Past President of the West Jax Shrine Club in 2003, and president of the BallyHoo Unit.

Jay was also appointed as the “official” Santa Claus by Potentate Ackley in 2006 for any group or motorized unit in the Northeast Florida Region. Some units he visited were Clay County Shrine Club, Daughter’s of the Nile, Beaches Shrine Club, and the West Jax Shrine Club. For the City of Jacksonville, he was hired to walk the streets and buildings downtown to visit with the working citizens. He was privileged to light the City of Jacksonville Christmas Tree. He loved being the Mayor’s official Santa Clause for the Senior Citizens Christmas Party. Jay was most proud of being the official Santa for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Jacksonville Sharks, along with many other communities, neighborhoods and families.

He was born and bred an avid fan of the Tide – University of Alabama. He also supported the Jacksonville Sharks, Jacksonville Jaguars and was a Green Bay Packer Owner and fan. He supported NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt Sr and Jr.

Survivors include his wife of 26 years, June Graves; family son, Rob Graves (Lisa) and grandchildren, Joshua, Timothy and Kimberly Graves; daughter, Pamela Garrett (Rob) and grandson Dalton Garrett, great-grandson Tom Garrett as well as 9 more grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Further extended family is Ronda Toonk and MANY other loving family members.

He is predeceased by his parents, Aldora and Ottis Graves; his sisters, Judy Chappell (Averon) and Edith Lee.

Jay would like to thank all of the people at the VA, Amedisys Home Health Care, Home InStead respite nurses and caretakers, and any other nurses and therapists who have worked with Jay during the last states of his life.

Jay strongly requested that you DO NOT send flowers. In lieu of flowers, he requested donations to the family to help defray costs of the Celebration of Life or to the Shriners Hospital for Burn and Crippled Children. You can send a check in his honor made payable to: Shriners Hospitals for Children, ATTN: Recorder, Morocco Shrine Auditorium, 560 Wells Road, Orange Park, FL 32073 (phone 904-909-2681).

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Morocco Shrine Center, 560 Wells Road, Orange Park, Florida. A Masonic Memorial Service will be conducted at 5:30 pm.

Jay’s ashes will be placed at the Jacksonville National Cemetery.

Fair Winds and Following Seas, Mariner, you will be missed by many.