Paul Graves Jr., 55, of Hot Springs, passed away November 29, 2020. He was born June 22, 1965 in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Rev. Marshall Paul Graves, Sr. and Ruth Darlene Graves. Paul attended Sylvan Hills School and graduated from Lakeside High School. He received his BSE and MS from Henderson State University. Paul loved and served the Lord. He was an active member of City Life Church and enjoyed being on the Praise Team. Paul was a lifelong learner seeking to help others with Christ as his compass. Paul began his career at Magic Springs as the Director of Operations. In 1989, Paul began his teaching career at Lake Hamilton Public School. During the summers he worked for the Corp of Engineers as a Park Ranger at Lake Ouachita and DeGray Lake for several years. After obtaining his M.S. in counseling he began private counseling services. Paul worked as a military life consultant, counseling children and their families. Paul taught music at Lake Hamilton for K-6th in his early years and was currently teaching his beloved students at the intermediate school. He also served the school by providing bus transportation for hundreds of students throughout his career. Paul’s teaching career at Lake Hamilton included his 5th Grade students’ infamous black light production; this was always a parent and crowd pleaser. Through his 31 year career at Lake Hamilton, he loved his many coworkers. Paul loved hunting and fishing with his dad, brothers, and family. He was an avid sports fan for the LH Wolves and Razorbacks. Paul loved amusement parks and the tallest roller coasters. Most of all he loved his family. Paul was known for his larger-than-life compassionate heart and love for helping others. Paul is preceded in death by his mother, in-laws, Nelson and Bea Tipton, and sister-in-law, Lysa Marie Graves. Loving survivors include his wife, Tammy Tipton Graves; son, Matthew Graves (Shea); daughter, Megan Thackston (Cory); father, Marshall Paul Graves Sr.; brothers, Tim Graves (Lisa), Steve Graves (Angie); sisters-in-law, Angie Elrod, Nan Kirksey (Brian); nieces and nephews, Jenny Elrod, Searcy Elrod (Brittnee), Kathryn Speights (Sloan), John Brian Kirksey, Marissa Graves, Micah Graves, Morgan Graves, Cloe Graves, Sara Walker; great-nieces, Dylan Elrod, Charlie Kate Speights; faithful dog, Charlie; and loved cousins, and other family members. A walk-through visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 9, at Caruth-Hale Life Celebration Center, 2529 Airport Road. A celebration of Paul’s life will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 10, at Lake Hamilton Wolf Arena with Pastor Lance Arguello officiating. Pallbearers include Tim Graves, Steve Graves, Cory Thackston, Micah Graves, Morgan Graves, Brian Kirksey, Searcy Elrod, John Brian Kirksey, Sloan Speights, and Zach Wells. To honor Paul’s life and spirit a memorial has been set up to help those in need named “Paul’s Light: Caring Hands, Giving Heart”. Memorials can be made to Paul’s Light c/o Bank OZK, 1540 Airport Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913.