Obituary of Edward Grady

Edward Louis ?Ed? Grady, 89, of Columbia, S.C., died Monday, December 10, 2012, at Palmetto Richland Hospital. Born in Kinston, N. C., he was a son of the late Eddie Jones Grady and Maude Clara (Hodges) Grady. After graduation from Grainger High School in Kinston, Mr. Grady entered the Air Force Cadet program in WWII and was trained as a cryptographer. He served in Ie Shima off the coast of Okinawa receiving the Soldier?s Medal for heroism while pulling a pilot from a burning P-47. When the war was over, Mr. Grady studied Theater and English at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was a member of the Carolina Playmakers and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He worked with young people as a teacher and mentor in New York where he taught English and operated a Columbia University photo workshop; at Freedom High School in Morganton, N. C., where he taught English, Drama and TV Production; and at Keenan High School in Columbia where he served as a volunteer in art classes, in drama productions and with the yearbook staff. His influence on these students is obvious. A rising photographer in Los Angeles recently said, ?Seeing him in movies on Saturday and then in class on Monday planted seeds in a kid like me.? A commercial artist added, ?He was truly my role model.? A talented professional actor, Mr. Grady worked on stage, in movie and television productions and in outdoor drama. His credits include, ?A Simple Twist of Fate?, ?Children of the Corn II & III?, ?Old Man?, ?To Dance With the White Dog?, I?ll Fly Away?, ?Matlock?, ?Notebook? , and the Cherokee drama ?Unto These Hills?. He was a member of Screen Actors? Guild for many years. Mr. Grady was preceded in death by his first wife, Jayne Elliott Grady and his sister Mary Elizabeth Connors (Jack). He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Carolyn F. Ramsay of Columbia; two children, Marta O. Grady, of Snellville, GA, and Sean O. Grady (Gerri Wolfe) of Cherokee, N. C.; two step children, Caroline Hattrich of Columbia, and Stephen Hattrich (Melissa Joyner) of Irmo; a brother, Robert L. Grady (Irene) of Warner Robins, GA; six grandchildren, Jennifer J. Clark (Eric) of Tucker, GA, Kaitlyn Jackson of Tucker, GA, Keenan O. Grady of Cherokee, NC, Faolan O. Grady of Asheville, NC, and Brandon T. Hattrich and Ryan C. Hattrich both of Irmo; one great grandson, Joshua Clark of Tucker, GA; as well as several nieces, nephews and many many friends. A memorial service will be held at 1 P.M., on Saturday, December 15, 2012, at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209, with Reverend Dr. Dale B. Welden officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be private and held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer?s Foundation, 3223 Sunset Boulevard Suite 100, West Columbia, SC 29169.