Joseph Patrick Graber, age 56, passed away on March 4, 2026, after a five-year cancer battle. “Joe” was born on August 22, 1969, to Al and Joleen (Pendergast) Graber, the youngest of their four kids.

Although he was born in Tacoma, Washington, Joe considered himself a Virginian. He was primarily raised in Winchester, Virginia, and after graduating from Handley High School in 1987, Joe studied to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at James Madison University. He went on to attend Colorado State University and received a Master’s degree in English.

After relocating to Atlanta, Joe met the love of his life, Christie Cox, and the two were married on February 26, 2000. They soon moved to Virginia where they went on to raise four children of their own. Their marriage was filled with love, respect, and devotion.

Joe was an adventurous spirit, and enjoyed traveling, reading, writing, and learning. A member of the Catholic Church, he was a man of faith and was committed to acting as a vessel for God’s love and light. He was a Partner with Creekside Properties in Winchester VA where he, his Dad and brother, Jim, brought the lifestyle shopping center concept to the Winchester area. He authored two novels, All Good Quests, published in 2021, and The Short Happy Life of Cob Logan, soon to be published. His wisdom, humor, and deep love for life impacted everyone he met and will endure through the people and places he loved.

Joe is survived by his wife, Christie Graber, and their four children, Briton, MacKenzie, Aedan, and Tegan, as well as his mother, Joleen Pendergast Graber, and siblings and their spouses, Jan and Gary Kerns, Jim Graber, and Kathy and David Crawford. He also leaves behind countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Al Graber, and his wife’s parents, Bob and Mary Anne (Waters) Cox.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Foundation for the National Institute of Health in Memory of Joe Graber for Thymoma Cancer Research at www.fnih.org/donate or The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health at 11400 Rockville Pike, Suite 600, North Bethesda, MD 20852 making checks payable to FNIH.