Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 12–Assemblymen Anderson, Angle, Arberry, Bache, Beers, Berman, Brower, Brown, Buckley, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Claborn, Collins, de Braga, Dini, Freeman, Gibbons, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Hettrick, Humke, Koivisto, Lee, Leslie, Manendo, Marvel, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Oceguera, Ohrenschall, Parks, Parnell, Perkins, Price, Smith, Tiffany, Von Tobel and Williams
Joint Sponsors: Senators Raggio, Titus, Amodei, Care, Carlton, Coffin, Jacobsen, James, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, O’Connell, O’Donnell, Porter, Rawson, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Townsend, Washington and Wiener
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Assembly Concurrent RESOLUTION—Memorializing long-time educator and native Nevadan, Orsie S.Graves.
Whereas, The members of the Nevada Legislature were deeply
saddened by the passing of Orsie S. Graves on May 10, 2000, one of
Sparks High School’s most influential educators; and
Whereas, Orsie S. Graves, a native Nevadan, was born on March 15,
1922, in Sparks, to Orsie M. and Pearl (Casey) Graves; and
Whereas, Orsie Graves graduated from Sparks High School in 1940
and later joined the United States Army Air Corps where he served his
country during World War II as a pilot; and
Whereas, In 1948, Orsie Graves earned his Bachelor’s Degree from
the University of Nevada and continued his education by attending classes
at San Jose State University and the University of Nevada where he
received his Master’s Degree in 1965; and
Whereas, Following college and his service in the military, Orsie
Graves taught in junior high schools in Fallon and Sparks before becoming
a teacher and basketball coach at Sparks High School in 1956; and
Whereas, During his 12 years as basketball coach at Sparks High
School, Orsie Graves earned a reputation as a tough and talented coach
who encouraged his players to excel in the classroom, as well as on the
court; and
Whereas, After leaving his coaching days behind, Orsie Graves
continued his career in education for another 17 years as Acting Vice
Principal, Dean of Students and Vice Principal at Sparks High School
where he touched the lives of a generation of students and encouraged
them to be the best that they could be; and
Whereas, Following his retirement from the Washoe County School
District in 1985, Orsie Graves and his wife, Lois, devoted a considerable
amount of time and energy toward the development of the Sparks Heritage
Museum; and
Whereas, The love and respect that Orsie Graves received from his
students was expressed simply by the Mayor of the City of Sparks, Tony
Armstrong, a former student of Graves, who was quoted as saying, “I was
one of those students who you had to take a 2-by-4 and hit me in the head
to make me understand. Orsie was one of those who picked up that 2-by-4.
He never gave up on me and spent a lot a time with me.”; and
Whereas, Orsie Graves is survived by his wife, Lois, son, Brad,
daughters, Tricia Grinsell and Leslie Moya, and sister, Bonnie Pettengill,
all of Reno, son, Ed Henrickson of Hawaii, and seven grandchildren; now,
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate
Concurring, That the members of the 71st session of the Nevada
Legislature do hereby extend their sincere condolences to the family and
friends of Orsie S. Graves; and be it further
Resolved, That Orsie Graves will long be remembered for his
contribution to education and athletics at Sparks High School and for the
compassion and understanding that he generously gave to his students and
friends throughout his life; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit
a copy of this resolution to Orsie Graves’ loving wife, Lois.
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