The passing of my father-in-law, Grady Lee McCoy, Jr. on July 3rd has brought with it a wave of emotions and a long list of decision making. Thankfully, husband Grady’s father had done some Estate Planning, that was nice and incredibly helpful. However, he hadn’t done a lot of funeral planning. Thus, Grady and I have been slogging through our recently learned about end-of-life planning. To Do list:
- Whom to notify
- Funeral home preferences
- Burial or cremation
- Autopsy authorization
- Memorial and visitation service details
- Music, readings, and speakers
- Flowers and memorial contributions
- Casket or burial container preferences
- Pallbearer selection
- Obituary publication and grave marker instructions
- Biographical and family information
Ann and Grady McCoy Jr. A Well-Known Couple, Remembered by Many
Because Grady’s mom and dad were a well-known couple about town, Little Rock, and in Washington D.C., many people have been reaching out with kind words and questions about the memorial service.
Today, after gathering stories, sharing memories, and following the traditional format of a family obituary, we completed the final obit draft. It will be published in Sunday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette paper and includes the details of his upcoming memorial service on Saturday, July 26th.
During the service, husband Grady will read a letter, Son Gray will sing a hymn, and on my suggestion, there will be a flag folding ceremony for Daddy Mac’s military service and because we are a family in the flag business. Perfect!
This may sound weird, but I do love a good funeral. A Celebration of Life!
Grady Lee McCoy, Jr. Obituary
Grady Lee McCoy Jr.
November 3, 1932 – July 3, 2025
Grady Lee McCoy Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and decorated Air Force veteran, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025, at the age of 92.
Born on November 3, 1932, in Conway, South Carolina, he was a proud graduate of Conway High School and began his collegiate journey at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC, where he traveled the state as a member of the Glee Club, men’s choir. He later transferred to the University of South Carolina, earning a bachelor’s degree in business and graduating as an officer through the ROTC program.
Upon graduation, Grady joined the United States Air Force, where he served with distinction. As a bombardier aboard B-52 bombers during the Cold War, he flew numerous high-stakes missions that included carrying live nuclear weapons on 24-hour flights over Russian airspace. These missions, thankfully, always ended with the call to return to base. He once told a friend that he knew if the order ever came to drop the bomb, that he would not make it back. He retired with the rank of Captain, a reflection of his bravery, leadership, and dedication to service.
It was during a deployment to Jacksonville Air Force Base in Arkansas that fate intervened. A double-blind date led him to Ann Askew Savage, though she wasn’t his original date that evening, he knew immediately that she was the one. Just three months later, they were married, beginning a loving partnership that would span 68 years.
After retiring from the Air Force, Grady and Ann settled in her hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas. He transitioned into a successful career in residential real estate with RPM and Beuter Realty. In 1991, Grady joined his wife, Ann, in yet another new adventure. Together they worked for and throughout the Clinton administration in Washington, D.C.
Grady was predeceased in death by his parents Molly Jones and Grady L McCoy Sr, of Conway, South Carolina, and his son, Read Holmes McCoy. He is survived by his devoted wife, Ann Savage Askew McCoy; son Grady Lee McCoy III and his wife, Kerry Krouse McCoy; granddaughter Sara Meghan Pittman and her husband, Alan Pittman; grandsons Grady Lee McCoy IV and husband Drew Schultz, Matthew Savage McCoy and his wife Sara Slimp, and John (Jack) Edwin McCoy and his wife Megan. He is also remembered with love by his great-grandchildren: Evelyn Ann Pittman, Marshal Alan Pittman, and Arthur Ellis McCoy.
Grady McCoy will be remembered for his strong moral compass, dry wit, deep intellect, day trading skills, and unwavering commitment to his family and country. His life was one of quiet courage, steady leadership, and enduring love.
Because Grady was a lifelong member of Second Presbyterian Church, serving as both Deacon and Elder, a Celebration of Life service for Grady will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, July 26th, at Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR.
In lieu of flowers, please give your gifts of remembrance to the Church or buy a commemorative brick at the Dreamland Ballroom’s Pave the Way program.
About The Author
Kerry McCoy has been in the American flag and banner business for over 50 years, founding Arkansas Flag and Banner in 1975, which has operated as FlagandBanner.com since 1995. Her insights into patriotic trends, and flag sales patterns come from decades of serving customers across America during times of celebration, crisis, and everything in between.
Get Kerry’s latest blog post every week by entering your information under Join Our Mail List in the side bar, checking the appropriate box, and clicking Subscribe. xoxoxo
