Phillip "Bo" Graves

Phillip "Bo" Graves was born June 19, 1957, in Memphis, Tennessee, and passed away May 17, 2026, in Rogers, Arkansas.

Bo grew up and graduated from high school in Luxora, Arkansas, before attending Ouachita Baptist University. He was ordained into the ministry during college at Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and pastored churches in Mountain Pine, Arkansas; Moorcroft, Wyoming; Clute, Texas; Amity, Arkansas; and Glen Rose, Texas. After graduating with a master's degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he was called to First Baptist Church in Haysville, Kansas, where he faithfully served for over 29 years.

Bo truly had a pastor's heart. Many men can preach, but few are true pastors. He loved his church deeply and desired for everyone to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. To Bo, being a pastor was never simply a job - it was a calling. He faithfully walked alongside people through life's joys and hardships, offering encouragement, wisdom, compassion and prayer to anyone in need.

Bo was married to the love of his life, Kathy, for over 47 years. He dearly loved his sons and adored his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Shannon Graves, and his mother, Ruby Principi.

Bo is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy; son Phillip and his wife, Emilie, and their children Connor, Eli, Jackson, and Emma Kate; and son Jeremy and his wife, Glen, and their children Carson, Michael, and Ryan. He is also survived by his brother, John Shannon Graves Jr.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, May 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Haysville, Kansas. The funeral service will be held Thursday, May 21, at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church, with a graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery in Wichita following immediately afterward.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Bo's impact on people for the cause of Christ is vast and unmeasurable. He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Bo Graves IMB Fund through First Baptist Church in Haysville, Kansas, in honor of Bo's service on the International Mission Board and its mission of reaching people around the world for Christ.