Sarah and John Graves were inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame in 2023
Born in Norman, OK, John Graves moved briefly to Bartlesville before his family made their home in Tulsa. John learned his multiplication tables at Tulsa Public Schools then attended the University of Tulsa majoring in Criminal Justice. He earned money teaching guitar lessons and chartering the Tulsa Para-Divers Sport Skydiving Club.
After graduation from TU, John joined the Tulsa Police Department and spent two years as a Patrol Officer, fulfilling his long-held goal being part of law enforcement.
Another lifelong dream was fulfilled when John spent a year in the Caribbean with a college buddy running a charter sail and dive boat. Upon returning to Tulsa, John’s life took a pivotal turn when he met Sarah. They married and began their family.
With his father and brother Mike’s prior tutelage, the family formed their own small drilling and production company. Daily production operations and challenges cracked open a knack for ingenuity and John was granted seven U.S. Patents in the 1980s and 1990s.
John’s search for an existing valve manufacturing company to develop his valve designs led to a dead end, so he and Sarah built their own valve company from the ground up. They decided to centralize all corporate and manufacturing operations on one easily accessible campus: their detached two-car garage in Brookside.
Together, Sarah and John designed their prototypes and local machine shops built the components. Then, in the garage, they were assembled, tested, re-designed, re-tested and finally received interest in field testing from a major oil company. The day Occidental Petroleum called and informed the Graves that they were coming from California to inspect the factory, John and Sarah knew they had a problem. The garage! They stalled, found a small shop to rent out by the airport, and moved in just in time.
Today, Cyclonic Valve Company’s plant in Broken Arrow manufactures and distributes thousands of high-pressure control valves to oil and gas companies throughout the country and internationally.
John’s dedicated work on the boards of The Salvation Army and the Indian Nations Council earned him the Salvation Army’s “William Booth” award and “Others” award and the Indian Nations Council “Silver Beaver” award. Further, he is a member of TU’s College of Engineering Hall of Fame.
Sarah was raised in Duluth, Minnesota and graduated from college at Montana State. She moved to Tulsa in 1976 and married John in 1981 at Harwelden Mansion. Each year on their anniversary, they drink champagne while looking at their wedding photos and talk about the memories they have made together.
Sarah’s commitment to giving back to the community has been a consistent theme in her life. Sarah delivered with Meals on Wheels and actively participated in the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle fund drive. Her deep involvement with the Bartlett Regatta spanned a decade, culminating in her co-chairing the 2011 event, benefiting the Center for People with Physical Challenges.
She has been involved with Family and Children’s Services since 1978. Sarah has experienced the organization from various angles—as a client, staff member, volunteer, and eight years as a board member. She chaired Black Tie Bingo for two years and Brainiac Ball for two years. Currently, alongside John, she holds the position of Honorary Chairs for this year’s event, and Cyclonic Valve Company has been the Presenting Sponsor for 15 years. Their names now grace the Family and Children’s Services Sarah and John Graves Center, located at 23rd and Harvard.
In 2017, John and Sarah embarked on a new venture, founding the “Shining Honor Project,” providing patriotic employment opportunities to adults with developmental challenges. Collaborating with care-giving organizations like A New Leaf and the Gatesway Foundation, they have undertaken the significant task of cleaning and honoring thousands of veterans’ headstones while offering meaningful work.
The Graves’ philanthropic reach extends to organizations such as OSU/Veterans Hospital, Indian Nations Council/Scouting USA, The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, Greenwood Rising, The Gathering Place, Tulsa University, and many more.
They have two sons, two wonderful daughters-in-law and four beautiful grandchildren.