Ben H. Graves
It is with great sorrow, but the world lost a great man today – Ben H. Graves.
Ben was born and raised in Hamblen County, Tennessee. He attended the University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University, earning degrees in teaching and marketing. He moved to Oak Ridge, where he began his teaching career at Oak Ridge High School in 1966. He taught there until his retirement in 1986. An avid golfer, he also served as the school’s golf coach for many years. He taught distributive education and enjoyed mentoring students about business.
Ben loved to travel and took trips with friends to destinations including Palm Beach, Florida; Canada;and Lake Tahoe, California. He played on the Senior Golf Tour and competed at Pebble Beach.
In 1973, Ben purchased his first used mobile home and soon realized he had a talent for the business. He developed a mobile home park in Whitesburg, and, in 1982, opened Ben’s Home Centers on Oliver Springs Highway. He became a top dealer for Clayton Homes, expanding to five retail locations in Knoxville, Newport, Jefferson City and Clinton. In 1998, he developed WoodCutter’s Crossing, a subdivision where he sold homes and lots together, helping many people purchase their first homes. He also provided financing for many of his customers. His park in the Batley community is still going strong and has 34 active tenants.
Ben was a member of the Elks in Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Country Club. He was a generous supporter of the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Ridge, the Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Marlow Volunteer Fire Department.
He is survived by his longtime companion and best friend of 26 years, Linda K. Stewart; Melissa Bacon, his employee and friend for 43 years; Rose Wallis, an employee and friend for more than 38 years; and his special best friends Hugh Nichols and Ken Brown and their wives; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Blanche Graves; his sisters, Sue and Vanna; and good friends Rick Hughes, Clark Meredith and Larry Garner.
He will be forever missed but his business and memory will continue. Everyone who knew him will feel the impact of his presence gone.
Services will be held at Mott-McKamey Funeral Home in Oak Ridge on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m., with a short service to follow.
Mott-McKamey Funeral Home and Cremations is assisting the Graves family.
