MOBILE, Ala. (WALA/Gray News) – A grandfather on vacation in Alabama died after suffering a heart attack when he rushed into rough waters to save his 5-year-old grandson, according to his family.
Charles “Chuck” Graves was a father, grandfather, veteran and friend. He was visiting Dauphin Island with his family Oct. 9 when his 5-year-old grandson was pulled out by the current, WALA reports.
Without hesitation, Graves swam out to save the boy. Once he got his grandson to safer waters, he passed him to a family member and instructed him to get to shore.
But Graves didn‘t follow. At first, it was believed that he drowned, but his family says that isn’t what happened.
Graves’ daughter and daughter-in-law, Katie Hargrove and Valerie Belt, fought back tears as they shared the pain of that day.
“We think, at that point, Chuck already knew something was wrong or that something was happening because he never made an attempt to swim in, even though he was out of harm‘s way already,” Belt said. “That’s when we figured he was having the heart attack, which ultimately is what took him.”
Graves is being remembered as a family man who put others first and always saw the positive side in every situation. A Kentucky native, he and his wife, Maura, decided to move to southwest Florida, where his family says they enjoyed the warm weather and easily adapted to the Gulf Coast.
Graves had three children and four grandchildren, and his family says he always opened his heart and arms for others around.
“He loved them all,” Belt said.
Although Graves is gone, his positive mindset, kind heart and one important lesson will stick around for generations to come.
“Family is important,” Belt said. “That was always the one thing he wanted was he just wanted all of his kids together all the time. He was definitely a one of a kind.”
The family says they will always live by the lessons Graves taught them, keeping family close and putting them first.
Graves and his wife were planning to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in January, his family says.
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