Grady Lea

Grady was born on March 9, 1930, in Memphis, TN. While still a young boy his family moved to Dry Prong, LA. He graduated from Dry Prong High School in 1947. That same year, at the age of 17, he joined the Navy where he served for 21 years until he retired in February 1968. While in the Navy, Grady met the love of his life, Maxine Goree. They married on March 1, 1952, and were together for 72 years. For part of his Navy career he served on an icebreaker, the USS Edisto for 4.5 years. He made 5 trips to the Antarctic and 4 trips to the Arctic during that time. He also served as a Navy Corpman with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion Marines, during the Korean War.

After retiring from the Navy Grady, along with 2 business partners, opened Pen Bay Biological Laboratory in Pensacola, FL. He and his partners eventually sold this business and then started Regional Biomedical Laboratory, also in Pensacola. After building up the business and selling it to a nationwide laboratory group, he finished his career as the Director of Microbiology at West Florida Hospital.

In retirement, Grady went on to take night courses at Pensacola Jr. College where he earned his Associate’s degree. He continued his education at The University of West Florida where he earned his Bachelor’s degree. He was an adjunct professor at both institutions where he taught Intro to Microbiology. He was a licensed real estate agent. He never did anything in real estate but took the test just to see if he could pass it. He went to class and became a Master Gardener for Escambia County, Fl., and as if that weren’t enough, he also went to clown school.

Grady served faithfully for many years at Myrtle Grove United Methodist Church. During those years he taught Sunday School and led different small groups. He was an active member and leader in the United Methodist Men, and later he became very active in leading Lay Witness Weekends, men’s retreats at Blue Lake Methodist Camp. He was also heavily involved in the Blue Lake Emmaus Community where he served for many years.

Grady has 1 daughter: Cindy (Phil) Steele of St. Petersburg, Fl. And 2 sons: Kevin Lea of Pensacola, Fl., and Jeff (Colleen) Lea of Birmingham, Al. 7 grandchildren: Ian Steele, Kelsey Martin, Caitlin Lea, Shannon Buckner, Kerianne Ramsey, Aubrey Lea, and Jenna Press. 8 great-grandchildren: Rose, Summer, Ramona, Sophie, Violet, Jesse, Levi, and James.

He was preceded in death by his wife Maxine Lea; his parents James and Avis Lea; his sisters: Christine and Wanda; and his brothers: Cecil, Gary, Randall, and Buster.

A quote from Grady: “All my adult life I have tried to make a difference. I hope that I have made a difference in the life of someone or something along the way.”

Visitation will be held at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, 619 New Warrington Road, Pensacola, FL 32506, US, on July 1, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will be held at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, 619 New Warrington Road, Pensacola, FL 32506, US, on July 1, 2026, at 12:00 pm.

A Committal Service will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery, 1 Cemetery Rd, Pensacola, FL 32508, US, on July 1, 2026, at 2:00 pm.