September 23, 1990 ~ May 25, 2021 (age 30)
Reese Taylor Graba, 30, of Longmont, CO, passed away on May 25, 2021 with his family by his side.
He died of complications of mental illness. Reese was born September 23, 1990 in Longmont, CO to James and Cheryl Graba. He was the fourth of six children and the youngest of four brothers. Reese looked up to his brothers, played with his little sisters, and had a special relationship with his grandparents. Reese was a happy, funny child. He liked playing with animals, cousins, and friends. He played various musical instruments starting at age four with the violin. He had some talent and played in string quartets and a youth orchestra through middle school. Reese was athletic. He played soccer in elementary, transitioning to football in middle school. He played tailback. His balance, strength, and toughness earned him all-conference honors in high school. As a young adult Reese began to struggle with mental illness.
Although he was never harsh with anyone, he withdrew from friends and family. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Reese entered mental health programs but walked away from them. He spent two years on the streets. Eventually he agreed to live at home, but he wouldn't accept any treatment. His family had to be satisfied that they knew where he was and that he was warm and dry at night. He seemed content. For his part Reese asked for very little and was no trouble.
Reese is survived by his parents, Jim and Cheryl Graba of Longmont, CO; his grandmother Patricia Hooley of Fort Collins, CO; his grandfather Gary Hooley and his wife Mary Shortridge of Severance, CO; his brothers Kyle Graba of Frederick, CO, Wesley Graba of Mead, CO, and Logan Graba of Louisville, CO; his sisters Mayve Graba of Fort Collins, CO, and Payton Graba of Greeley, CO; his nieces Corwyn and Oakley Graba of Frederick, CO, and Alice Graba of Mead, CO; his sisters-in-law Lowry Graba of Frederick, CO, and Sarah Richards-Graba of Mead, CO; his aunts and uncles Vonna Cook and Charles Scovotti of Searsport, ME, Lisa Hooley and Lewis Trujillo of Fort Collins, CO, Kristyl and Jon Hall of Aurora, CO, Andrea Hooley and Eddy Clervain of Fort Collins, CO, Aric and Michelle Hooley of Fort Collins, CO, Jan Fransen and Carl Stover of Minneapolis, MN, Keith and Maryann Graba of Spring Lake Park, MN; and numerous cousins and friends. Reese was preceded in death by his grandparents Jack and Alice Graba, uncle Lee Graba, and cousin Gerome Trujillo. Please remember NAMI in your charitable giving.
Please join us in an informal backyard gathering to remember Reese at 1134 Twin Peaks Circle, Longmont, CO 80503 from 10 AM to 2 PM on June 12, 2021.
