RICHARD EUGENE O’GRADY
Richard Eugene O’Grady, age 80, of Grand River, Iowa, the son of Stephen Eugene and Dorothy Elaine (Fletcher) O’Grady, was born December 2, 1937, in Waterloo, Iowa. He passed away on Sunday, July 15, 2018.
When Dick was young, his family moved to a farm north of Grand River, Iowa. He attended country school and graduated from Grand River High School in 1956. Upon graduating, he attended Drake University in Des Moines. On July 25, 1958, Dick O’Grady and Rosalie Harger were united in marriage in Des Moines. They were blessed with four children, Steven, Michael, Douglas, and Kathleen. Following college graduation in 1960, he joined the United States Air Force and served 29 years. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1968, and IND College of Armed Forces in 1972. His military career included two tours in Vietnam and service on Okinawa. A few of his major assignments were Commander of the 560th Flying Training Squadron in San Antonio, Texas, Commandant of Squadron Officer School in Montgomery, Alabama, Vice Commander of Tech Training School in Biloxi, Mississippi, Chief of Standardization Evaluation in San Antonio, and he retired in 1989, as Assistant Deputy Commander of Operations at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio. His awards of accommodation include, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Meritorius Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, AF Organization Excellence Award, and others.
After military retirement, Dick worked for EG&G in Las Vegas, Nevada, flying Boeing 737’s for 15 years. He and Rosalie spent several years between their home in Boulder City, Nevada and the farm north of Grand River. In 2004, they built a house north of Grand River and made it theirfull time home.
During his free time Dick enjoyed hunting and fishing. Additionally, he loved spending time with his grandchildren, projects on the farm, community service, and traveling. He was an active member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Boulder City, Nevada and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Grand River, Iowa. He served in the Grand River American Legion and was on the board of directors for the Grand River Community Center for five years.
Dick was a loving and committed husband, father, grandfather, and friend who will be deeply missed. He never knew a stranger and was dedicated to building relationships with others. His kind and hard working character added greatly to the legacy that will continue in the hearts of his children, grandchildren and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Eugene and Dorothy O’Grady, and sons, Douglas and Michael O’Grady. Survivors include his wife, Rosalie O’Grady; children, Steve (Lauralee) O’Grady, Kathy (Steve) Ralph; daughters-in-law, Cindy (George) Holmes and Kathryn O’Grady; grandchildren, Rowdy (Nicole) O’Grady, Michaela O’Grady, Julie (Patrick) Youells, Justin O’Grady, Gage and Savannah O’Grady, Megan and Rachael Watkins; great grandson, Hoyt Michael O’Grady; brother, Jim (Karen) O’Grady, three nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many, many friends.
Funeral services were held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Grand River, Iowa at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 19, 2018, with Father David Polich officiating. Burial was in the Grand River Cemetery, Grand River, Iowa. A visitation with a time for Memory Sharing was held at the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home on Wednesday evening.
Memorials may be given to the Grand River Community Center in Dick’s memory.
