Booker Talifero Graves Jr

Booker Talifero Graves, Jr., a retired business executive and former chairman of the Denver County Republicans, died Aug. 5 2016 in Aurora. He was 78. Graves was a member of the Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) Hall of Fame and served on a number of community and civic organizations. He was a delegate to the GOP National Convention in 2000 and 2004. At the 2000 convention in Philadelphia, Graves was executive director of the Colorado Office of Workforce Development at the time and was outspoken on political and social issues. Born on Feb. 2, 1938, in Center Point, Ark., Graves was raised in St. Louis where he graduated from Harris Teachers College. After graduating, Graves was hired by the Denver Hyatt Hotel in a management position. He was a general manager at Sky Chefs from 1971 to 1987. Graves eventually owned and operated an airport concessions consulting firm in Denver, which included developing plans for restaurants at Denver International Airport. Graves also owned and operated the York Street Cafe & Bar on East Colfax Avenue in Denver where he took great pride and joy in presenting local jazz bands and musicians, said his daughter, Toni Keberlein. He is survived by a son, Jahmal, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; three daughters, Toni Keberlein, Flagstaff, Ariz., Angel Baker, Aurora, and Tanya Hunt, Mesa, Ariz.; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.