Born on September 5, 1926 in Ardmore, Oklahoma to the late Ervin and Blanche Grady (Bryant), Jack grew up in Oklahoma and West Texas, spending time on his Uncle Sam’s farm in the summer as a youngster. A member of “The Greatest Generation,” he was a veteran of WW II, serving as a sonarman on the USS Orleck, a Gearing-class destroyer, in the Pacific from 1944-1946. He attended Texas Tech, receiving his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. He began his working career at Union Carbide Corporation in Charleston, West Virginia, where he met the love of his life, Kathryn Neenan, at an adult Catholic group at Sacred Heart Parish in Charleston. They married on February 14, 1953 on Valentine’s Day and were together until Kathy’s death in December 2020. He was a lifelong employee of Union Carbide, moving into different positions and responsibilities, one being to help start up the plant in Torrance in 1955. His ultimate goal was becoming the plant manager in Torrance, California, which he achieved. When the Torrance plant closed, he was transferred to Seadrift, Texas. After retirement, he and Kathy moved to Austin to be closer to their children and his brother, Mike. He was offered the opportunity to be a consultant for Wedco, a division of Union Carbide. He spent two years in Toronto, Montreal, and Orangeville, Canada, helping to bring quality standards developed in Torrance and Seadrift. Kathy always said it was “the frosting on the cake” of Jack’s career. Jack deeply missed his wife after she passed, but was always cheerful and happy to see his many children and grandchildren. He and Kathy were devoted to St. Theresa’s parish; they cherished the times they spent feeding those in need in the wee hours of the morning at the Feed My People program. They spent years volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul store. Dad set an example to all of what a loving father, selfless husband, and righteous man. He was a man who inspired his children to seek their dreams and taught the value of persistence to reach those dreams. His life made an impact on so many, and his legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
He is survived by his children Kevin and his wife Linda of Powder Springs, Georgia, Sean and his wife Debbie of Wynnewood, PA, Kate (Grady) Ferguson and her husband Michael of Land O Lakes, WI, Ann (Grady) Finley and her husband Tim of Austin, Texas and Peter and his wife Jeri of Leander, Texas. He was blessed with 18 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren who brought much love to Jack and in return received all of his love. He is also survived by his brother Thomas (Mike) Grady of Austin, Texas. He was pre-deceased by his wife Kathy, his loving partner for 67 blessed years. Kathy died on December 28, 2020. He is also pre-deceased by his brother Lawrence David Grady.
A Rosary service will be held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Austin on August 23, 2021 at 9:15 AM followed by a funeral Mass at 10 AM. Burial will be private at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery afterwards.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The family wishes to gratefully thank his caregivers, Esther, Monique, Naldy, Chris and Irene. Jack and Kathy spent five happy years at Brookdale in Westlake where they made many friends and enjoyed wonderful activities, particularly Bingo and the Tuesday Catholic services.
DONATIONS
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18