Final Salute

James (Jimmy) Emmett Graft, 91, of Louisville passed away peacefully on February 6, 2025. He was born 9-15-1933 to John Emmett Graft and Maurice Gray Graft.

He is preceded in death by sisters Eloise McClary, Sally Houghton, Nancy Feltman and a brother Thomas Graft and son John Emmett Graft.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 68 years Carlene Meisner Graft, and two daughters Donna Barker (David), and Carla Cooke (Malcolm), three grand children, William A Duplain (Ellyn), Alexander T Duplain, Lauren Graft, daughter-in-law Lisa Graft and great grandson William Monroe Duplain Hartshorn.

Jimmy proudly served in the US Navy Seabee’s as a utility technician. He participated in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge, volunteer fireman with the J Town Fire department, and was active with the Metropolitan #32 Fraternal Order of Police. He was a member of St. Barnabas Catholic Church and St. John Paul II Catholic Church. Most importantly Jimmy was a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was a hardworking provider, a loyal friend, and a patriotic American. He loved collecting knives and camping with friends.

A visitation service will be held on Friday, February 14, from 5 to 8 pm at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville KY 40205 and a Funeral Mass on Saturday, at 11am at St John Paul II Catholic Church in Louisville.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Special Olympics of Kentucky or Amedisys Hospice of Indiana 305 Quartermaster Court, Jeffersonville IN 47130.