March 10, 2026, 84, Walnut Creek – John David Grady, III, PE, RLS, CSP passed away at his Walnut Creek home surrounded by his loving family on March 10, 2026.
He was born on November 25, 1941, in Wilmington, North Carolina, the son of the late John David Grady, Jr. and Dorothy Howard Grady. He spent his first years of life in Wilmington and then moved with his family to Alexandria, VA where they lived until their return to Goldsboro, NC in 1954. John joined Boy Scout Troop 3 at the First Presbyterian Church in Goldsboro and excelled in scouting, He attained the Rank of Eagle Scout at a very young age. John graduated from Goldsboro High School in 1960 and entered North Carolina State College (University) in Raleigh, North Carolina in the school of engineering to complete his dream of becoming an engineer like his father. He graduated from there in 1965 with a BS degree in Civil Engineering and later became a Licensed Professional Engineer, Licensed Professional Land Surveyor and Licensed Certified Safety Professional Engineer. During his time in college, he was a member of various organizations with his favorites being the Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity and ROTC Drum and Bugle Corps. Following graduation, John began his career at Barrus Construction Company. He would further his work experiences, ultimately culminating with The State of North Carolina where he retired with 30 years of service in the Safety Division. After retirement, he worked with Contractors and Engineers Services, Inc. in the family business.
John enjoyed his North Carolina roots and was an avid lover of the great outdoors. He was fortunate enough to have farms on both sides of his family where he enjoyed some of his greatest joys fishing and hunting and searching for arrowhead artifacts or simply walking the land and enjoying nature in its purest form. John was also at home on the beaches of North Carolina where the family spent many happy hours at their Sneads Ferry vacation home. He shall be fondly remembered for his culinary mastery of cooking the “best peanut brittle on the planet”!
John married Deanna Griffin on November 14, 1976, who was his best friend and life partner. They began their married life together at Walnut Creek where they raised their children on a firm foundation of Christ centered principals and love for each other. He was a loving father, mentor, teacher, and friend who was a steady source of support and strength for his family and friends.
John and Deanna found a second home in their church community at Garris Chapel Church where he served in many capacities. His favorite role was being on the cornbread cooking committee at the annual Harvest Sale where he made his barbecue/cornbread creation famous. He also got to have great conversations and eat all the barbeque he could fit on his plate.
John is preceded in death by his parents, John David Grady Jr. and Dorothy Howard Grady; his brother, Carroll Howard Grady; his grandson, Avery James Grady; his great grandson, Colton Gabriel Mann; and his brother in law, Peter McDonnell Sr.
Surviving John are his wife, Deanna Grady, and their children: John David Grady IV and his wife Babbs; Adam H. Grady and his wife Danielle; Ginger Edwards and her husband Mike; and Kim Whaley and her husband Ronnie Joe. He is also lovingly remembered by his grandchildren—John David Grady V, Lilah Grady, Jackson Grady, Jonah Grady, Annalee Grady, Amber Edwards, Jordan Sharpe, Brad Kordulewski, Miranda Mann, and Quenton Whaley—as well as nine great grandchildren. John is further survived by his sisters, Sherry McDonnell and her family, and Dixie and her husband Dr. Edward Jernigan and family.
A service of love and remembrance will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at Garris Chapel Church with Pastor Gabe Mitchell officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service in the Family Life Center, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Committal will be held at the Grady Family Cemetery in Albertson at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Garris Chapel Church, 823 Piney Grove Road, La Grange, NC 28551, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 3739 National Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612.
Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.
