The NC Highway Patrol is mourning the loss of one of their own.
Lt. Ira O. Grady passed away Sunday at Duke Hospital. He was only 45.
Lt. Grady started with the Highway Patrol in Nov. 1994 and worked his way up through the ranks. From January 2009 to May 2013, Grady was stationed at the Highway Patrol District Office in Smithfield as the first sergeant, overseeing troopers in Johnston County. Grady was prompted from his position as first sergeant in Johnston County to lieutenant and reassigned to the Troop B Headquarters in Fayetteville.
“We are extremely saddened by the loss of Lt. Ira O. Grady, who proudly served the citizens of North Carolina for 23 years,” said Colonel Glenn McNeill Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol. “His passing reminds each of us to recall the value of life as we join together to honor his legacy.”
Visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 22nd from 6:30pm – 8:30pm at the Trent River Oakey Grove Missionary Baptist Association at 417 Georgetown Road, Jacksonville, NC. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, Dec. 23rd at 11:00am at the same location.
Grady, from Knightdale, is survived by his wife, Sheree Grady of the home; parents, Ira and Constance Grady of Jacksonville, NC; sister, Melissa Lyde of Knightdale, NC; nephews, Phillip Lyde, Julius Lyde, Ira Lyde, Wisdom Lyde, all of Knightdale, NC; brothers-in-law, Phillip Lyde of Knightdale, NC, Samuel Shearry III of Clarksville, TN; father-in-law, Samuel Shearry Jr.; mother-in-law, Louise Shearry of Clarksville, TN.
