Arnold Howard Graf, 94, of Mexico, passed away on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Fulton Nursing and Rehab in Fulton.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, at Arnold Funeral Home with Rev. Zane Whorton officiating. Military honors will follow services.

Visitation is Saturday, November 15, from 1 p.m. until time of services at the funeral home.

Private entombment will be in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville.

Howard was born on June 7, 1931, in Globe, Arizona, to Arnold and Arlimay (Henderson) Graf. His mother passed away when he was four years old. Shortly after, his father returned to Missouri and later married Velma Ruth Smith, who lovingly adopted Howard, along with his brother, Bob, and sister, Arlene. He also has a half-sister, Linda Graf Groves.

Howard attended several county schools and graduated from Mexico High School in 1950. Following graduation, he proudly served in the United States Air Force until 1954.

In June 1956, at Sunrise Christian Church, Howard married Dorothy Hoover, daughter of Herbert and Lucile (Becker) Hoover. Together, they were blessed with three children.

After completing his military service, Howard worked as a shovel operator at Molino Lime Quarry, owned by his father. He later joined McDonnell Douglas Aircraft in St. Louis. In 1957, Howard, his father, and his brother Bob founded Graf & Sons, where he worked until his retirement in 1981.

Howard had a lifelong passion for flying. He earned his private pilot's license in 1955 and his commercial license in 1970. Over the years, he owned and flew several airplanes, including a Smith Mini Plane, a small stunt aircraft. He and Dorothy enjoyed flying to many destinations together, sharing their love of aviation with others. Howard often took friends and local youth on flights, participating in the Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles program—several of those young passengers went on to become pilots themselves.

In addition to flying, Howard enjoyed scuba diving. In July 1970, he even dove to help locate a bulldozer that had slipped into an old A.P. Green pit.

Survivors include his wife Dorothy Graf of the home; three children, Mike (Debbie) Graf of Lake Ozark, Janet Graf Dempski of Lee's Summit, and Ken (Laura) Graf of O'Fallon; 11 grandchildren, Brian (Sara) Graf, Justin (Maya) Graf, Josh Graf, Lauren (Paul) Richard, Kyle Dempski, Erika Dempski (fiancé Kyle), Brett Dempski, Heather (Mike) Larson, Anthony Graf (Melinda), Jesse (Caitlan) Graf, and John (Savannah) Graf; one step-grandson, Adam Keith; nine great-grandchildren, Sofia, Aya, Harmony, Brecklyn, Chloe, Camden, Lilliana, Alex, and Ellie; one half-sister, Linda (Thomas) Groves of Mexico, one sister-in-law, Marge Graf of Mexico; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Arlene Moon; one brother, Bob Graf; one step-grandson, Alex Keith; one son in-law, Bob Dempski; and by his father-in-law and mother in-law.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Christian Church or the Missouri Veterans Home. Both may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson Street, Mexico, MO 65265.