John Y. "Jackie" Graff, 71, of Marshall, Texas passed away on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 after an extended illness. A funeral service for Mr. Graff will be held at 2:00pm.Sunday, April 29, 2018 in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home with Bro. Danny Warbington officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm Saturday, April 28, 2018.

Jackie was born on December 26, 1946 in Marshall, Texas to Frank Harold and Amy Agnes Graff. An only child, Jackie attended Marshall schools where he excelled as a member of the Maverick football and baseball teams before graduating from Marshall High School in 1965.  After high school, Jackie went to work offshore and then returned to Marshall to work. Back in Marshall, Jackie met Charlene Strong of Hallsville. The two dated for a few short months before being wed on January 22, 1966 at Harmony Baptist Church.

Jackie enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in October of 1966 and was sent to basic training in January of 1967.  After Tech School in Wichita Falls, Jackie was stationed at Minot AFB in Minot, North Dakota. Charlene traveled with Jackie to both.  While in Minot, Jackie and Charlene welcomed their first son, Jeffery Scott, on October 28, 1968. After service in Minot, Jackie was transferred to Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, Louisiana.  While at Barksdale, they welcomed their second son, Michael Chadwick "Chad", on August 11, 1970. Jackie was Honorably Discharged in 1971 and the family returned to Marshall to make their home. Jackie went to work for Alcoa for 13 years before going to work for Kraft Food Services.  Jackie retired from Kraft Food Services in 2012. While his job supported his family, Jackie's heart was in the time he enjoyed being with his family. Many hours were spent on a ball field of some kind. Jackie was either playing softball or coaching and watching his sons as they also excelled on the baseball field. He and Charlene also enjoyed being with their sons and friends at the deer lease, the lake or any number of mud runs where they found themselves. Later in life, Jackie and Charlene were thrilled when Jeff and Chad married and then gave them grandchildren. Jackie loved his sons and those grandchildren added to the joy in his and Charlene's lives. They enjoyed attending sporting events and sharing holidays with all of the family.

Jackie and Charlene attended Mulberry Springs Baptist Church in Hallsville and enjoyed many friendships with members there.  Bro. Danny Warbington held a special place in Jackie's heart as a pastor and longtime family friend.

Jackie is survived by his wife Charlene of Marshall; son Jeff and his wife, Debbie, of Texarkana, Texas; son Chad and his wife Kelly, of Marshall;  grandchildren Tyler Reese Graff of Forney, Darby Diane Graff of Marshall, Keelie Shea Graff of Waskom, Garrett Michael Graff of Marshall, and Tori Beaty and her husband Blake of Marshall. Jackie was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Frank and Amy Agnes Graff.