Pomona School Official Dies

Timothy Graves, a Pomona Unified School District board member and former Pomona schools superintendent, died Tuesday of a heart attack. He was 53.

Graves started his career in the early 1960s teaching elementary school and later served as principal in several Massachusetts schools. From 1962-65 he was a teaching fellow at Harvard University’s education department. In 1969, he became principal of the Pierce School in Brookline, Mass., an elementary school known for its programs.

In 1980, Graves was named executive assistant to the Pomona superintendent. He was named deputy superintendent in 1982 and superintendent in 1984. He served until 1988, when ill health as a result of diabetes caused him to step down.

Graves ran for the school board the next year, winning election to a four-year term in November, 1989. Pomona district officials said last week that they haven’t decided whether to hold a special election or appoint a successor to replace Graves, whose term runs three more years.

Graves is survived by his mother, Janet Graves of Connecticut; a son, Jonathan, of Corvallis, Ore., and his brother, Jonathan, of Maine.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Pomona. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Assn.