Ross Graben, age 82, of Gulfport, MS, passed away at home on Saturday, July 19, 2014. Ross was born January 31, 1932, in Talladega, AL to Eral R. Graben and Cleo Willingham Graben. During the Korean Conflict he served as a U.S. Army corpsman with a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH). After graduating from Southeastern University in Washington, DC in 1957, Ross began a long and distinguished career as a Special Agent with the FBI. Following assignments in Baltimore, MD, Pittsburg, PA, and Charleston, WVA, Ross was transferred to Mississippi in 1965 during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. He retired from the FBI in January 1982 as the Supervisory Special Agent for the Gulfport FBI office. Ross was proud of his FBI career. He was particularly proud to have been a part of the FBI’s efforts during the Civil Rights era to enforce the rights of citizens of Mississippi and to ensure they were treated with fairness and equality under the laws.
Ross was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Billie Jo Ford. He is survived by Margaret, his loving wife of 62 years; brother Willingham Graben (Ann) of Clemson, SC; sons Steve Graben (Nancy) of Gulfport, MS, Phil Graben (Susan) of Madison, MS and Joe Graben of Long Beach, MS; grandchildren Andrew Graben, LeeAnn Hanshew (Mike), Katelyn Hawkins (Paul), Blake Graben (Kasey), Kristen Graben, Mamie “Margy” Graben, and James Ross Graben; and great-grandson Carter Ross Hanshew.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars or a charity of one’s choice.
Family and friends may visit on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15th Street, Gulfport MS from 10am to 11:30am with memorial service from 11:30am to noon. A private burial at the Biloxi National Cemetery will be held at a later date.
View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com