Elbert Graves

Elbert D. Graves, 92, a longtime resident of Leasburg, New Mexico, passed away peacefully in Las Cruces on October 9th.

Born in Stanton, Texas, on September 10, 1934, Elbert moved with his family to Roswell in 1941, growing up on a 15-acre place west of town. He learned the value of hard work early, spending his childhood summers farm-handing for a neighbor and driving a school bus during his senior year at Roswell High School, where he graduated in 1953.

After high school, Elbert served two years in the U.S. Army, including a year stationed in Europe. Returning home, he enrolled at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales and earned his degree in biology in 1961.

Elbert went to work for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at the Red River Fish Hatchery near Questa. It was there that he met and married the love of his life, Jeffrey Lynn "Jenny" Scott. The family later moved to Navajo Dam near Bloomfield, where Elbert helped build up the early fisheries at Navajo Lake and the quality waters along the San Juan River.

When piñon juniper allergies prompted a move south, Elbert brought his family to Las Cruces and earned a master’s degree in horticulture at New Mexico State University. He spent the rest of his career rooted in southern New Mexico agriculture—working for NMSU, managing key projects at AGCO in Mesquite, continuing on with Helena, and later developing vegetable varieties for Cascade Seed. Even in his off-time, he kept busy helping out at Bridges Pecan Orchards in Leasburg.

A longtime Mason, Elbert was active with the Aztec Lodge in Las Cruces for many years. He truly loved the simple pleasures of rural living. He planted a big garden every year, bought calves from local dairies to raise for the family freezer, and helped his boys raise livestock for 4-H. A skilled woodworker, he spent countless hours crafting furniture and home projects for family and friends. Above all, he loved his dogs and was happiest jogging with them along the banks of the Rio Grande.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jenny; his parents; and his brother, Glenn Graves.

Elbert is survived by his sons and their families: Michael and his wife Sandra, Mark and his wife Becky, Aaron, and Daniel; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchild; and his brother, Garth Graves.

Elbert lived a good, full life grounded in family, honest work, and a genuine love for the land. He will be deeply missed.