Wayne Graves was born on March 16, 1950. He was raised in Johnson County on Beaver Creek behind the Red Wall on the Noble Graves homestead as the fourth generation to earn a living from the family property. It was in this Red Wall Valley that he fostered his love of horses, cows, and the cowboy life. Wayne spent countless hours in the saddle caring for cows, moving livestock, and branding calves. He also kept a stud bunch and raised horses, training them mostly for his own use. Wayne attended Casper College and the University of Wyoming while rodeoing. He graduated with a master’s degree in reproductive physiology. He presented his research in Baltimore in 1975 at the American Society of Animal Science and submitted his thesis in 1976 entitled “Synchronization of Ovulation in Beef Females.” He was called home shortly thereafter to take over the family cow-calf ranching operation west of Kaycee where he has been ever since. Wayne has worked for the Dan Hanson Ranch, the Red Fork Ranch, the Hole-in-the Wall Ranch, the Harlan Ranch, and numerous other ranches across several different states moving cows, branding, checking for estrus, and inseminating.
Wayne is a valuable resident of Johnson County, having served on several boards such as the Johnson County Planning and Zoning Commission. He continues to help his neighbors with their sheep and cattle work and loves to attend community functions, particularly ones that include good country music and dancing. Wayne has spent his entire life on horseback and continues even now after having both his knees replaced. He honors long-held cowboy traditions with his methods of work. He continues to rope and drag his own calves for branding.