Parents Charles Grady Graves and Dannie Louise Pegues
Gordon Thomas Graves, of South Padre Island, Texas, slipped peacefully from sleep into eternity on September 21, 2021, at the home he shared with his wife, Linda (Powell) Graves, in Harrisburg, Illinois.
Gordon was born in Crowell, Texas, to Grady and Dannie (Pegues) Graves on January 13, 1937. He was the second of four boys: Robert, Gordon, Bill, and John. John was 3 years old when he died in a tragic accident on July 22, 1946, and Robert passed away peacefully on September 8, 2020. Gordon married Billye Bell on December 25, 1954, and together they had four children during their seventeen-year marriage. Gordon married Cynthia Joyce on March 22, 1975; they were married for 38 years. At last, Gordon married Linda (Powell) Absher on February 13, 2014, with whom he spent the last years of his life sharing his love of travel, golf, and karaoke.
The Graves family were educators, but Gordon told his mother in the second grade that he was going to be an inventor and run businesses. He loved sports and was a talented all-around athlete. He dreamed of playing professional football, but by college had a strong suspicion it was not in the cards. After graduating from high school in 1955, he went to Tarleton State in Stephenville where he played football and studied to be an engineer. After Tarleton, Gordon moved to Austin with his young family to attend the University of Texas, where he graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and an MBA in Technological Management in 1971.
Gordon became an engineer, an inventor, a salesman and an entrepreneur before he wandered into the gaming business. Over the years he lived in California, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Illinois, but traveled and worked all over the United States and the world. He once said the longest year of his life was the week spent in Iran to sell the Hawk Missile Simulator to the Shah (when he was Vice President of Corporate Development for Applied Devices, Inc.).
Gordon was always most comfortable working in small, rapidly growing companies, and was involved in one way or another in the start-up of a multitude of young companies over the years, including Litton Industries, Teledyne, GTECH, IGT, and Multimedia Games, Inc.
He designed airborne computer systems (Litton Industries); was Director of Engineering for avionics for Teledyne, Inc; guided the development of the first airborne LORAN navigation system using microprocessors (Advanced Products Laboratories); won a contract to install the first on-line lottery system in Michigan and the first on-line lotto system in the world in Canada (Datatrol); founded a company that developed the first player-activated lottery terminal, the first microcomputer-based redundant central determinant system, and the first touch-screen gaming terminal (Syntech); participated in International Game Technology's entry into the lottery business; was involved in the development of MegaBucks, the first progressive slot machine game; was part of the team that formed Gamma International and introduced MegaBingo, a closed-circuit TV bingo game for high-stakes Indian halls; and founded a company called TV Bingo, Inc., which evolved into Austin-based Multimedia Games, Inc, where he became the Chief Executive Officer and was named the best performing CEO in the gaming industry in 2003.
Gordon received the Public Gaming Research Institute President's Award for his contributions to the gaming industry in 1981. In 1986 he was awarded a patent for an Interactive Video Gaming System, the first of 8 patents he held, certainly fulfilling his childhood dream of being an inventor. In 2005, he was inducted into Lottery Industry Hall of Fame for his pioneering leadership in the development of on-line computer systems for lotteries and his leadership in developing player activated terminals for the sale of lottery products.
By the time he retired from MGAM in 2003, he was known as the "Father of Indian Gaming." He was very proud of his contribution to the Indian tribes. He changed their lives by designing systems and machines that changed the face of Indian gaming.
After retirement, Gordon continued to be involved in numerous business ventures., but also learned to relax and thoroughly enjoy his leisure time. He often told Linda he was "a happy boy." He loved his family with all his heart. He charmed everyone with his smile, and had a gift for making everyone feel important, once referred to as "that Gordon Graves magic." He was honest, hardworking, and loyal. He was a man among men. He will be missed greatly, but he leaves a mighty legacy and will be remembered with love and honor.
Gordon is survived by his wife Linda Graves of Harrisburg, Illinois; his brother Bill Graves of San Angelo, Texas; four children: Steve Graves and wife Liliana, of Cedar Park, Texas, Brenda Graves Hammond and husband Blake of Colorado City, Texas, Beth Graves Tarter and husband Glenn of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Jody Graves Wood and husband David of Crowell, Texas; two stepchildren: Bryan Absher and wife Sara of Bloomington, Indiana, and Leslee Brooks and husband Chris of Marion, Illinois; twelve grandchildren: Kristen Daniel and husband Watt, Clay Eades and wife Kassandra, Rebecca Garza and husband Robert, Amy Castillo and husband David, Casey Hammond and wife Madison, Jeremy Tyra and wife Melissa, Sara Pringle and husband Rashard, Joshua Tyra and wife Jessica, Tyler Wood, Brandi Caddell and husband Logan, Wes Wood and wife Mika, Caleb Wood and wife Chandler, ten step grandchildren: Arturo Perez and wife Cinthia, Lily Ortiz and husband Paul, Adrian Perez and wife Jasmine, Cori Tarter, Shannon Willingham and husband Doug, Austin Skutnik and husband Ben, Jay Duncan and wife Jessica, Connor Absher, Zach Absher, and Cassidy Absher; forty six great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson on the way, and a multitude of other family and friends.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one grandchild, one great grandchild, one nephew, and one niece.
Gordon's friends and family celebrated his life at a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church of Harrisburg on September 26, 2021.
A memorial service will be held in Austin, Texas, at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, in the Smith Family Chapel at Riverbend Church.
A graveside service for family and close friends will be held at 6:00 pm on October 13, 2021, at the Crowell Cemetery in Crowell Texas.
The family requests those planning to attend either service wear a mask.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Ships, PO Box 1930, Lindale, TX 75771 or online at www.mercyships.org.
Gordon Thomas Graves, of South Padre Island, Texas, slipped peacefully from sleep into eternity on September 21, 2021, at the home he shared with his wife, Linda (Powell) Graves, in Harrisburg, Illinois.
Gordon was born in Crowell, Texas, to Grady and Dannie (Pegues) Graves on January 13, 1937. He was the second of four boys: Robert, Gordon, Bill, and John. John was 3 years old when he died in a tragic accident on July 22, 1946, and Robert passed away peacefully on September 8, 2020. Gordon married Billye Bell on December 25, 1954, and together they had four children during their seventeen-year marriage. Gordon married Cynthia Joyce on March 22, 1975; they were married for 38 years. At last, Gordon married Linda (Powell) Absher on February 13, 2014, with whom he spent the last years of his life sharing his love of travel, golf, and karaoke.
The Graves family were educators, but Gordon told his mother in the second grade that he was going to be an inventor and run businesses. He loved sports and was a talented all-around athlete. He dreamed of playing professional football, but by college had a strong suspicion it was not in the cards. After graduating from high school in 1955, he went to Tarleton State in Stephenville where he played football and studied to be an engineer. After Tarleton, Gordon moved to Austin with his young family to attend the University of Texas, where he graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and an MBA in Technological Management in 1971.
Gordon became an engineer, an inventor, a salesman and an entrepreneur before he wandered into the gaming business. Over the years he lived in California, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Illinois, but traveled and worked all over the United States and the world. He once said the longest year of his life was the week spent in Iran to sell the Hawk Missile Simulator to the Shah (when he was Vice President of Corporate Development for Applied Devices, Inc.).
Gordon was always most comfortable working in small, rapidly growing companies, and was involved in one way or another in the start-up of a multitude of young companies over the years, including Litton Industries, Teledyne, GTECH, IGT, and Multimedia Games, Inc.
He designed airborne computer systems (Litton Industries); was Director of Engineering for avionics for Teledyne, Inc; guided the development of the first airborne LORAN navigation system using microprocessors (Advanced Products Laboratories); won a contract to install the first on-line lottery system in Michigan and the first on-line lotto system in the world in Canada (Datatrol); founded a company that developed the first player-activated lottery terminal, the first microcomputer-based redundant central determinant system, and the first touch-screen gaming terminal (Syntech); participated in International Game Technology's entry into the lottery business; was involved in the development of MegaBucks, the first progressive slot machine game; was part of the team that formed Gamma International and introduced MegaBingo, a closed-circuit TV bingo game for high-stakes Indian halls; and founded a company called TV Bingo, Inc., which evolved into Austin-based Multimedia Games, Inc, where he became the Chief Executive Officer and was named the best performing CEO in the gaming industry in 2003.
Gordon received the Public Gaming Research Institute President's Award for his contributions to the gaming industry in 1981. In 1986 he was awarded a patent for an Interactive Video Gaming System, the first of 8 patents he held, certainly fulfilling his childhood dream of being an inventor. In 2005, he was inducted into Lottery Industry Hall of Fame for his pioneering leadership in the development of on-line computer systems for lotteries and his leadership in developing player activated terminals for the sale of lottery products.
By the time he retired from MGAM in 2003, he was known as the "Father of Indian Gaming." He was very proud of his contribution to the Indian tribes. He changed their lives by designing systems and machines that changed the face of Indian gaming.
After retirement, Gordon continued to be involved in numerous business ventures., but also learned to relax and thoroughly enjoy his leisure time. He often told Linda he was "a happy boy." He loved his family with all his heart. He charmed everyone with his smile, and had a gift for making everyone feel important, once referred to as "that Gordon Graves magic." He was honest, hardworking, and loyal. He was a man among men. He will be missed greatly, but he leaves a mighty legacy and will be remembered with love and honor.
Gordon is survived by his wife Linda Graves of Harrisburg, Illinois; his brother Bill Graves of San Angelo, Texas; four children: Steve Graves and wife Liliana, of Cedar Park, Texas, Brenda Graves Hammond and husband Blake of Colorado City, Texas, Beth Graves Tarter and husband Glenn of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Jody Graves Wood and husband David of Crowell, Texas; two stepchildren: Bryan Absher and wife Sara of Bloomington, Indiana, and Leslee Brooks and husband Chris of Marion, Illinois; twelve grandchildren: Kristen Daniel and husband Watt, Clay Eades and wife Kassandra, Rebecca Garza and husband Robert, Amy Castillo and husband David, Casey Hammond and wife Madison, Jeremy Tyra and wife Melissa, Sara Pringle and husband Rashard, Joshua Tyra and wife Jessica, Tyler Wood, Brandi Caddell and husband Logan, Wes Wood and wife Mika, Caleb Wood and wife Chandler, ten step grandchildren: Arturo Perez and wife Cinthia, Lily Ortiz and husband Paul, Adrian Perez and wife Jasmine, Cori Tarter, Shannon Willingham and husband Doug, Austin Skutnik and husband Ben, Jay Duncan and wife Jessica, Connor Absher, Zach Absher, and Cassidy Absher; forty six great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson on the way, and a multitude of other family and friends.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one grandchild, one great grandchild, one nephew, and one niece.
Gordon's friends and family celebrated his life at a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church of Harrisburg on September 26, 2021.
A memorial service will be held in Austin, Texas, at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, in the Smith Family Chapel at Riverbend Church.
A graveside service for family and close friends will be held at 6:00 pm on October 13, 2021, at the Crowell Cemetery in Crowell Texas.
The family requests those planning to attend either service wear a mask.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Ships, PO Box 1930, Lindale, TX 75771 or online at www.mercyships.org.
Parents Charles Grady Graves and Dannie Louise Pegues
Gordon Thomas Graves, of South Padre Island, Texas, slipped peacefully from sleep into eternity on September 21, 2021, at the home he shared with his wife, Linda (Powell) Graves, in Harrisburg, Illinois.
Gordon was born in Crowell, Texas, to Grady and Dannie (Pegues) Graves on January 13, 1937. He was the second of four boys: Robert, Gordon, Bill, and John. John was 3 years old when he died in a tragic accident on July 22, 1946, and Robert passed away peacefully on September 8, 2020. Gordon married Billye Bell on December 25, 1954, and together they had four children during their seventeen-year marriage. Gordon married Cynthia Joyce on March 22, 1975; they were married for 38 years. At last, Gordon married Linda (Powell) Absher on February 13, 2014, with whom he spent the last years of his life sharing his love of travel, golf, and karaoke.
The Graves family were educators, but Gordon told his mother in the second grade that he was going to be an inventor and run businesses. He loved sports and was a talented all-around athlete. He dreamed of playing professional football, but by college had a strong suspicion it was not in the cards. After graduating from high school in 1955, he went to Tarleton State in Stephenville where he played football and studied to be an engineer. After Tarleton, Gordon moved to Austin with his young family to attend the University of Texas, where he graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and an MBA in Technological Management in 1971.
Gordon became an engineer, an inventor, a salesman and an entrepreneur before he wandered into the gaming business. Over the years he lived in California, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Illinois, but traveled and worked all over the United States and the world. He once said the longest year of his life was the week spent in Iran to sell the Hawk Missile Simulator to the Shah (when he was Vice President of Corporate Development for Applied Devices, Inc.).
Gordon was always most comfortable working in small, rapidly growing companies, and was involved in one way or another in the start-up of a multitude of young companies over the years, including Litton Industries, Teledyne, GTECH, IGT, and Multimedia Games, Inc.
He designed airborne computer systems (Litton Industries); was Director of Engineering for avionics for Teledyne, Inc; guided the development of the first airborne LORAN navigation system using microprocessors (Advanced Products Laboratories); won a contract to install the first on-line lottery system in Michigan and the first on-line lotto system in the world in Canada (Datatrol); founded a company that developed the first player-activated lottery terminal, the first microcomputer-based redundant central determinant system, and the first touch-screen gaming terminal (Syntech); participated in International Game Technology's entry into the lottery business; was involved in the development of MegaBucks, the first progressive slot machine game; was part of the team that formed Gamma International and introduced MegaBingo, a closed-circuit TV bingo game for high-stakes Indian halls; and founded a company called TV Bingo, Inc., which evolved into Austin-based Multimedia Games, Inc, where he became the Chief Executive Officer and was named the best performing CEO in the gaming industry in 2003.
Gordon received the Public Gaming Research Institute President's Award for his contributions to the gaming industry in 1981. In 1986 he was awarded a patent for an Interactive Video Gaming System, the first of 8 patents he held, certainly fulfilling his childhood dream of being an inventor. In 2005, he was inducted into Lottery Industry Hall of Fame for his pioneering leadership in the development of on-line computer systems for lotteries and his leadership in developing player activated terminals for the sale of lottery products.
By the time he retired from MGAM in 2003, he was known as the "Father of Indian Gaming." He was very proud of his contribution to the Indian tribes. He changed their lives by designing systems and machines that changed the face of Indian gaming.
After retirement, Gordon continued to be involved in numerous business ventures., but also learned to relax and thoroughly enjoy his leisure time. He often told Linda he was "a happy boy." He loved his family with all his heart. He charmed everyone with his smile, and had a gift for making everyone feel important, once referred to as "that Gordon Graves magic." He was honest, hardworking, and loyal. He was a man among men. He will be missed greatly, but he leaves a mighty legacy and will be remembered with love and honor.
Gordon is survived by his wife Linda Graves of Harrisburg, Illinois; his brother Bill Graves of San Angelo, Texas; four children: Steve Graves and wife Liliana, of Cedar Park, Texas, Brenda Graves Hammond and husband Blake of Colorado City, Texas, Beth Graves Tarter and husband Glenn of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Jody Graves Wood and husband David of Crowell, Texas; two stepchildren: Bryan Absher and wife Sara of Bloomington, Indiana, and Leslee Brooks and husband Chris of Marion, Illinois; twelve grandchildren: Kristen Daniel and husband Watt, Clay Eades and wife Kassandra, Rebecca Garza and husband Robert, Amy Castillo and husband David, Casey Hammond and wife Madison, Jeremy Tyra and wife Melissa, Sara Pringle and husband Rashard, Joshua Tyra and wife Jessica, Tyler Wood, Brandi Caddell and husband Logan, Wes Wood and wife Mika, Caleb Wood and wife Chandler, ten step grandchildren: Arturo Perez and wife Cinthia, Lily Ortiz and husband Paul, Adrian Perez and wife Jasmine, Cori Tarter, Shannon Willingham and husband Doug, Austin Skutnik and husband Ben, Jay Duncan and wife Jessica, Connor Absher, Zach Absher, and Cassidy Absher; forty six great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson on the way, and a multitude of other family and friends.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one grandchild, one great grandchild, one nephew, and one niece.
Gordon's friends and family celebrated his life at a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church of Harrisburg on September 26, 2021.
A memorial service will be held in Austin, Texas, at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, in the Smith Family Chapel at Riverbend Church.
A graveside service for family and close friends will be held at 6:00 pm on October 13, 2021, at the Crowell Cemetery in Crowell Texas.
The family requests those planning to attend either service wear a mask.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Ships, PO Box 1930, Lindale, TX 75771 or online at www.mercyships.org.
Gordon Thomas Graves, of South Padre Island, Texas, slipped peacefully from sleep into eternity on September 21, 2021, at the home he shared with his wife, Linda (Powell) Graves, in Harrisburg, Illinois.
Gordon was born in Crowell, Texas, to Grady and Dannie (Pegues) Graves on January 13, 1937. He was the second of four boys: Robert, Gordon, Bill, and John. John was 3 years old when he died in a tragic accident on July 22, 1946, and Robert passed away peacefully on September 8, 2020. Gordon married Billye Bell on December 25, 1954, and together they had four children during their seventeen-year marriage. Gordon married Cynthia Joyce on March 22, 1975; they were married for 38 years. At last, Gordon married Linda (Powell) Absher on February 13, 2014, with whom he spent the last years of his life sharing his love of travel, golf, and karaoke.
The Graves family were educators, but Gordon told his mother in the second grade that he was going to be an inventor and run businesses. He loved sports and was a talented all-around athlete. He dreamed of playing professional football, but by college had a strong suspicion it was not in the cards. After graduating from high school in 1955, he went to Tarleton State in Stephenville where he played football and studied to be an engineer. After Tarleton, Gordon moved to Austin with his young family to attend the University of Texas, where he graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and an MBA in Technological Management in 1971.
Gordon became an engineer, an inventor, a salesman and an entrepreneur before he wandered into the gaming business. Over the years he lived in California, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Illinois, but traveled and worked all over the United States and the world. He once said the longest year of his life was the week spent in Iran to sell the Hawk Missile Simulator to the Shah (when he was Vice President of Corporate Development for Applied Devices, Inc.).
Gordon was always most comfortable working in small, rapidly growing companies, and was involved in one way or another in the start-up of a multitude of young companies over the years, including Litton Industries, Teledyne, GTECH, IGT, and Multimedia Games, Inc.
He designed airborne computer systems (Litton Industries); was Director of Engineering for avionics for Teledyne, Inc; guided the development of the first airborne LORAN navigation system using microprocessors (Advanced Products Laboratories); won a contract to install the first on-line lottery system in Michigan and the first on-line lotto system in the world in Canada (Datatrol); founded a company that developed the first player-activated lottery terminal, the first microcomputer-based redundant central determinant system, and the first touch-screen gaming terminal (Syntech); participated in International Game Technology's entry into the lottery business; was involved in the development of MegaBucks, the first progressive slot machine game; was part of the team that formed Gamma International and introduced MegaBingo, a closed-circuit TV bingo game for high-stakes Indian halls; and founded a company called TV Bingo, Inc., which evolved into Austin-based Multimedia Games, Inc, where he became the Chief Executive Officer and was named the best performing CEO in the gaming industry in 2003.
Gordon received the Public Gaming Research Institute President's Award for his contributions to the gaming industry in 1981. In 1986 he was awarded a patent for an Interactive Video Gaming System, the first of 8 patents he held, certainly fulfilling his childhood dream of being an inventor. In 2005, he was inducted into Lottery Industry Hall of Fame for his pioneering leadership in the development of on-line computer systems for lotteries and his leadership in developing player activated terminals for the sale of lottery products.
By the time he retired from MGAM in 2003, he was known as the "Father of Indian Gaming." He was very proud of his contribution to the Indian tribes. He changed their lives by designing systems and machines that changed the face of Indian gaming.
After retirement, Gordon continued to be involved in numerous business ventures., but also learned to relax and thoroughly enjoy his leisure time. He often told Linda he was "a happy boy." He loved his family with all his heart. He charmed everyone with his smile, and had a gift for making everyone feel important, once referred to as "that Gordon Graves magic." He was honest, hardworking, and loyal. He was a man among men. He will be missed greatly, but he leaves a mighty legacy and will be remembered with love and honor.
Gordon is survived by his wife Linda Graves of Harrisburg, Illinois; his brother Bill Graves of San Angelo, Texas; four children: Steve Graves and wife Liliana, of Cedar Park, Texas, Brenda Graves Hammond and husband Blake of Colorado City, Texas, Beth Graves Tarter and husband Glenn of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Jody Graves Wood and husband David of Crowell, Texas; two stepchildren: Bryan Absher and wife Sara of Bloomington, Indiana, and Leslee Brooks and husband Chris of Marion, Illinois; twelve grandchildren: Kristen Daniel and husband Watt, Clay Eades and wife Kassandra, Rebecca Garza and husband Robert, Amy Castillo and husband David, Casey Hammond and wife Madison, Jeremy Tyra and wife Melissa, Sara Pringle and husband Rashard, Joshua Tyra and wife Jessica, Tyler Wood, Brandi Caddell and husband Logan, Wes Wood and wife Mika, Caleb Wood and wife Chandler, ten step grandchildren: Arturo Perez and wife Cinthia, Lily Ortiz and husband Paul, Adrian Perez and wife Jasmine, Cori Tarter, Shannon Willingham and husband Doug, Austin Skutnik and husband Ben, Jay Duncan and wife Jessica, Connor Absher, Zach Absher, and Cassidy Absher; forty six great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson on the way, and a multitude of other family and friends.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one grandchild, one great grandchild, one nephew, and one niece.
Gordon's friends and family celebrated his life at a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church of Harrisburg on September 26, 2021.
A memorial service will be held in Austin, Texas, at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, in the Smith Family Chapel at Riverbend Church.
A graveside service for family and close friends will be held at 6:00 pm on October 13, 2021, at the Crowell Cemetery in Crowell Texas.
The family requests those planning to attend either service wear a mask.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Ships, PO Box 1930, Lindale, TX 75771 or online at www.mercyships.org.
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