Tracy Lee Graves

Type of Donation:       corneas

Age and Location:      Age 54 - Glendora, CA

Donation Date:           5/25/2018

Sponsor:                      Honored by OneLegacy

TRACY’S STORY

Tracy Lee Graves was 54 when he donated his corneas so others could see the people and things they loved. This act of compassion defines him so well. Tracy loved the people in his life; he was a son, brother, mentor, and friend. He became a husband when he married his elementary school sweetheart, Kristen, and instantly became a dad to her 3-year-old. Their immediate family grew by 4 in the coming years while their extended family grew even more. His sense of family came from the loving home he grew-up in.

Tracy was handy. "If he couldn't fix it right, he'd make it work in an ‘unconventional' way," Kristen says. He was a mechanic and manager by trade, a coach and tutor out of love. Kristen remembers, "It was important to him that the kids in his life were capable, whether changing their oil, maintaining their paintball equipment, or knowing they always had him to call."

In addition to his 5 children, he was a father-figure to his niece and nephew, not holding back when they needed a lecture or a hug. His sense of responsibility and caring didn't stop with bloodlines however, as Tracy took many of his workers under his wings over the years, often putting others before himself.

Tracy loved camping, fishing, and body surfing. Kristen reveals, "If he was within a few miles of the ocean, he would take the time to stop and put his feet in the water. It didn't matter how much sleep he had if he went to the beach he laid down on the sand and napped. The outdoor elements brought him peace." When his children were learning to surf, Tracy was there with encouragement and tips, even though he had never managed to surf in his life. "The kids still laugh about that to this day," Kristen discloses.

He loved hockey, baseball, and golf. He loved his childhood friends and those he met along the way. He loved a good Captain Morgan & Dr. Pepper, maybe that is what helped him to love his sisters-in-law too. He had a great sense of humor. He loved his dog, and he loved his family.

"He is missed, but we know he is always with us," Kristen asserts.