Oard Conrad Graves passed away peacefully at the age of 101 on October 4, 2026. Born on February 3,1925 in Roswell, New Mexico, he was the fourth of five children born to Eric and Allie Graves. Growing up, he was known to everyone as "OC" Oard was a very unusual name in 1925, and it still is.

OC grew up in a musical family where everyone played an instrument or sang. He kept his love for music his entire life. At an early age, he traveled with his father and bandmate playing in Roswell and surrounding communities, earning $5 for a night of singing and playing his guitar.

In late May 1943, he graduated from Roswell High School, and on June 1st he enlisted in the Army Air Force. He served in World War II from 1943-1946, stationed in England, France, and Germany as a pilot flying C-47's transporting troops and supplies.

After the war, OC came back to New Mexico and earned bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of New Mexico. During his time at UNM, OC met the love of his life, Mabel. He always delighted in retelling the events of meeting her for the first time.

From his notebook: "Mabel is my main squeeze. My friend Rudy and I were returning to UNM after a weekend in Juarez. We stopped at the drug store/bus station in Hatch. Rudy knew Mabel and saw her sitting at the counter. Her family lived on a ranch not far from Hatch. She was returning to UNM as well. Rudy introduced us. I invited her to ride back with us instead of the bus. She accepted. When we got to Albuquerque, I bought her an enchilada at Fito's on 4th Street before taking her to her dorm at UNM. Two weeks later I sent her a dozen roses and asked her out for a date. It was a done deal! We got married in July of 1951 after we both finished school."

OC and Mabel were happily married for 74 years.

OC retired from the Albuquerque Public schools after 30 years of service. In the beginning, he taught elementary PE and fifth grade. He went on to earn his Doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado. Returning to APS, he became the Administrator-Coordinator for the departments of Physical Education, Health and Safety Education, Recreation and Environmental Education, and Drivers Education.

He loved playing golf and traveling the United States, Canada, and Europe. Always being eager to learn new things led him to discover a love for painting. He and Mabel took oil painting lessons and they created beautiful paintings which lined the walls of their home.

OC's greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. He will be remembered for his kindness, quick wit, and humor. He loved to tell jokes and wrote down endless poems and quotes he found. The day before he passed this is what he wrote down,

Yesterday is history.

Tomorrow is a mystery.

All I know is.

Today is mine.

He lived an amazing life and will be greatly missed. OC is survived by his son Charles and wife Cynthia Graves of Albuquerque, daughter Marie and husband Mark Lewis of Grants, granddaughter Erin and husband Joseph Castillo of Albuquerque. He was preceded in death by his wife Mabel and grandson Erik Lewis.

OC's final wishes were to not have a formal service. His life was celebrated privately by his immediate family.