Barbara Graves, wife of the late AQHA Past President Gene Graves, shared some thoughts about her husband on this Memorial Day where we honor our soldiers for serving and dying for our country.
Graves of Grand Island, Nebraska told us that she ordered her late husband’s tombstone several months ago to make sure it arrived and was installed before Memorial Day.
“We definitely miss Gene. It will be the one year anniversary of his death on June 14th,” says Barbara, whose husband fought pancreatic cancer during his tenure as AQHA President. “The horse on Gene’s tombstone is a replica of the AQHA trophy and turned out very nice.”
According to Barbara, Gene was always concerned about AQHA members and he felt that each member has an important job in being an ambassador for our Association.
“When we look back at the history of the American Quarter Horse, it is very humbling to realize what this great horse has done for us and look what this amazing horse has built,” Graves states. “This horse, along with many other breeds, helped develop this land. Gene was very honored to have been selected as President of AQHA and he was the first person from Nebraska to be elected.”
As Graves daughter, Cindy Duncan, said in the speech she eloquently gave at his funeral, “My father was diagnosed on Valentine’s Day of 2012. The day when one symbol radiates in our minds…the heart. My dad, being the optimistic man he was, had two goals when he was diagnosed: 1) to complete his presidency of the American Quarter Horse Association, and 2) to see his granddaughter Taylor graduate from high school. True to his words of ‘Never, Never, Never give up,’ he accomplished both.”
As shared at the American Quarter Horse Association Convention, General Membership Meeting, March 2013, Gene’s words of wisdom were placed on the back side of his tombstone.
Gene’s Words of Wisdom
1. Face each day with hope.
2. Be kind and courteous to everyone.
3. Stand up for what you believe.
4. Life is more fun when you don’t keep score.
5. A good example is a great gift you give others.
6. Things do not change – we do.
7. There is no right way to do the wrong thing.
8. The more you say, the less people remember.
9. Never, never, never give up.
10. Happiness is a choice.
Click here to view a few select photos that Barbara wanted to share with everyone.
