January 28, 2023, 82, Raleigh –

Dr. Perry Linwood Grady, Raleigh resident and native of Duplin County, died Saturday, Jan. 28th at Wake Medical Center Cary Hospital.

Dr. Grady was the son of the late Perry Livingston and Ruby Jernigan Grady and was married to Patricia Whitman Grady. He retired from NC State University College of Textiles as Emeritus Associate Dean and Professor and served as a professor and associate dean during his career at the university.

Perry Linwood Grady was born in rural Duplin County, North Carolina on September 10, 1940, the son of the late Perry Livingston Grady and Ruby Elma Jernigan Grady. He attended The B.F. Grady School for all twelve grades and graduated in 1958. He was President of the Junior and Senior classes and President of the Beta Club. He entered NC State University in September 1958, and you might say he never left but his travels took him around the world.

He and Patricia Whitman were married in June of 1962 just after his graduation and moved into their first home in Raleigh. They were blessed with two daughters, Patricia Lynn, and Julie Ann. Pat and Perry have lived in Raleigh since marriage and enjoyed building their dream home and outside paradise “out in the country” but close enough to enjoy “being in town”. They traveled extensively together throughout the years and enjoyed visiting their immediate and extended family wherever they could be found nearby across town or across the Atlantic.

Upon completion of his B.S. Electrical Engineering degree in 1962 and his M.S. in 1967 he became a Research Instructor in the School of Textiles taking on his full-time research faculty position with responsibility for the Textile Physics Laboratory. He continued his studies, earning his Ph.D. in Fiber and Polymer Science in 1973, and was promoted to assistant professor in the department of textile technology, a position encompassing undergraduate teaching, advising, research, and extension service. He continued his tenure track and promotions throughout his career at the college and ultimately took on the role of Associate Dean in 1983. He completed various research projects, co-published two books and a multitude of research papers, oversaw the development of the first university remote video teaching program, supervised many other students pursuing graduate degrees, progressed through many leadership roles, and held responsibility for the construction of the College of Textiles on the NCSU centennial campus. Perry served as a faculty member from 1962 until the present as an emeritus faculty.

Perry was very active in many industry organizations including the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists and after retirement from NCSU took on the role of Business Development Director, supporting the organization in maintaining and expanding membership.

Perry’s interest in electronics and industrial applications led him to become involved in the Instrument Society of America. He diligently worked on behalf of its members and was ultimately rewarded by being named President in 1999. He and Pat traveled across the nation and the world building connections and pursuing extensive interaction with a large cross–section of the fiber, textile, and apparel industry. He was known throughout his career for building bridges across industries regionally, nationally, and globally.

Dr. Grady is survived by his wife, Patricia Whitman Grady, and his daughters, Lynn and Julie as well as his sister Gail Grady Smith. They are also blessed with five grandchildren, Ryan Grady Moore, Jessica Lynn Moore, Grady Kingsbury Mock, Roman James Mock, and Peri Juliette Mock. Perry Linwood has an extensive surviving family including nephews Ralph Britt, and Marty Smith, and their families. He is also fortunate to have many first cousins and their families in the Mt. Olive area and he and Pat maintain a farm and house there as well.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruby Jernigan Grady and Perry Livingston Grady, and his sister Lois Grady Britt.

The family will receive friends In Raleigh, from 2-5 pm on Sunday, January 29th, at the home of Perry Linwood and Pat. Funeral services will be at Tyndall Funeral home in Mt. Olive at 1 pm on January 30th, followed by his burial at Summerlin Family Cemetery at Summerlin’s Crossroads.   Family and friends are welcome to stop by the Jennie and Elbert Whitman homeplace on  Beautancus Road following the burial.

In lieu of flowers Pat and Perry have requested donations to either of the following scholarship funds:

• American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists – AATCC – AATCC (https://members.aatcc.org/store/ghhd/2437).
• The Ruby Jernigan and Perry Grady Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Mount Olive, PO Box 90, Mt. Olive, NC 28365