Obituary of Jerome "Jerry" Carol McGrady

Jerome “Jerry” Carol McGrady passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Jerry was born on May 2, 1951 to James and Elise McGrady in Columbia, South Carolina.

Jerry attended Olympia High School and afterward was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam War.  He served in Korea and was honorably discharged. After his military service, he went to work as a carpenter before beginning a career with the City of Columbia’s Wastewater Division, where he was employed until he was forced to retire due to a back injury.

Jerry spent his retirement raising his children, helping his friends and family, fishing, going to yard sales, and vacationing at the beach whenever possible. Jerry was incredibly devoted to his family, especially his children and grandchildren, and was the thread that tied everyone in the family together.

He is survived by his three sons: Scott (Sara) and Todd of Columbia, SC, and Russell Osbourne Long III of Gaston, SC; and three grandchildren: Patrick and Shannon McGrady and Adriana Webb. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joan Carol McGrady; his three brothers: Robert “Bob” McGrady, Eugene “Frank” McGrady, and James “Snake” McGrady; and a sister, Earline McGrady.