Obituary for Nikolas Barrett Graves Nikolas Barrett Graves lost his battle with addiction on Saturday, December 22, 2018. Nik was born on May 3, 1995, the son of John and Luciana Graves and Brooke and Michael McKearn. Nik lived life to the fullest, had a passion for creating/mixing music, cooking and traveling.
He had lived and been in many countries. One of the most amazing things he accomplished and was so proud of is when he traveled to Namibia, Africa to volunteer along with his classmates to help build a school and to set up activities and games for the kids there. Nik attended Turner Schools and in his sophomore year he moved to Germany with his dad and Lu to attend Heidelberg International School, where he graduated in 2013.
Nik then moved to New Jersey to attend a music engineering school, Recording Radio Film Inc. where he received his degree and began working as an apprentice at Terminus Studios in Times Square, NYC. Nik would always come back to Beloit for extended periods, as he always felt that Beloit was his home, but he was a free spirit. He wanted to do more, see more.
In March of 2018 he relocated to Amethyst Recovery Center in Port St Lucie, Fl. He felt it was too hard for him to be in Beloit and as he used to say, “fight his demons”. Amethyst literally saved his life and Nik became the person we knew once before and received his 90-day chip.
Unfortunately, in June he relapsed when he left Amethyst, he felt he was strong enough to fight this battle on his own but the battle became too difficult. He wanted so badly to fight and be the person he was meant to be. The demons of addiction won and he died in FL.
We will not let Nik be defined by addiction, he was much more than that. He was known for his gorgeous blue eyes, warm smile and a witty sense of humor. He loved baseball, skate boarding, MUSIC, drawing, his animals and his family.
He loved life. He is always remembered as having a huge heart and selflessly willing to lend a helping hand. Nik is survived by his parents, Brooke and Michael McKearn, John and Luciana Graves and his sister, Isabelle (Gerardo) Badillo.
He is further survived by his grandparents, Robert and Sharyn Graves, Linnea Lynch and David and Cindy Lynch, Michael’s children, Abby (Jordan) Betker and Collin McKearn, many uncles, aunts and cousins. There will be no service. At a later date we will have a celebration of Nik’s life.
Many thanks to the Daley Murphy Wisch & Associates Funeral Home staff for their help and kindness. In lieu of flowers, we ask any donations be sent to Wings of Recovery Network 15 Via De Casas Sur Apt 104 Boynton Beach, FL 33426. Or you may go to their Facebook page “Wings of Recovery Network”.
This is a non-profit organization that helps addicts get into treatment. Nik’s family requests that you remember the good, happy things and how funny and full of life he was. We are deeply touched by everyone that has reached out to us.
Fly high Nik, no more pain, no more demons and we will love you forever.
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