Skip to content Skip to Content

Tornillo High School Coach, Teacher Remembered

Friday was a somber evening as students and teachers remembered Bradley Graves.

Graves was the Tornillo High School teacher and coach who died in a car crash Wednesday morning.

The school’s main gym was filled with mixed emotions Friday: sadness for the loss of a friend and teacher, but also happiness and gratitude for the gifts he gave so many.

“Brad, he was always a practical joker. He always had a smile on his face,” said Glenn Graves, Brad’s younger brother.

“His passion for kids — in the classroom, he pushed them,” said Tornillo athletic director, Cody Burris.

They both said the 54-year-old coach had a passion for life and knowledge, a feeling he shared with the dozens who filled the stands to remember him before the boys’ basketball game against Jesus Chapel.

His ashes sat on a stool next to a simple wreath.

Graves’ quilt with patches sewn together from all the schools he had taught at, including a ‘T’ for Tornillo, was held by other coaches from the Tornillo.

Family and co-workers said Graves taught at several schools, including some in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, where he taught before applying for the position at Tornillo.

Just outside they gym, memories and messages were written on a large red banner.

“(He taught me) to never give up. Always 100 percent, you can give on the field and reach your goal, never stop,” said 10th grader Fernie Sanchez.

A teacher for more than 29 years, Graves had recently started coaching again and reignited his career at Tornillo High School last August.

“Kids gravitated to him really well. He made us all laugh,” said Burris.

And with his experience, Graves brought his thirst for helping others. He brother Glenn said it was something he did even as a child growing up in Arkansas.

“Brad always reached out for those kids that did not have. He just reached out to them and tried to always smile at them and give them words of encouragement,” Glenn Graves said.

Coach Graves died after his car hit a tree while he was driving home from work because he wasn’t feeling well.

Despite his tragic death, his passion will carry on through those who knew him. An empty seat will keep his memory alive on the basketball court.

His younger brother said coach Graves was a man of God, so he knows his brother is in a better place now.

“It was time for him to go home and the good Lord wanted him to come home, and he needed a teacher and he needed a coach up in heaven, and that’s where he’s at today,” said Glenn Graves.

During the memorial, Burris said, “Remember his passion and you will succeed.”

The boys basketball team won their game Friday night. Tornillo beat Jesus Chapel, 66-30.

Article Topic Follows: News

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

KVIA ABC-7

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KVIA ABC 7 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.