Grady Eugene Aldridge (1934 - 2022)

Born 14 Aug 1934 in Georgia, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Nell (Sutherland) Aldridge — married 14 Jun 2008 in Denton, Texas, United States

Died 14 Sep 2022 at age 88 in Red Oak, Ellis, Texas, United States

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Biography

Grady Eugene Aldridge September 14, 2022

Obituary

Grady Eugene Aldridge, of Red Oak, Texas, passed away at his home Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at the age of 88, following a protracted struggle with brain cancer first diagnosed in March 2019. He was born in Blackshear, Georgia, to father, Isham Aldridge, and mother, America Gill. Grady grew up on the family farm in Blackshear, along with six brothers and three sisters.

After graduating from Blackshear High School in 1954, Grady enlisted in the U.S. Air Force with dreams of travel and “seeing the world”. While serving active duty at Ardmore Air Force Base in Oklahoma, he met Betty Jo, to whom he fell in love. They were married May 1, 1958, the date which coincided with Grady’s Honorable Discharge from the Air Force.

Grady and Betty moved to Dallas, Texas, where Grady worked as a police officer. Together, they had two sons, Doug and Martin. Having the goal of sharing with his sons the farm life he experienced growing up, the young family moved to nearby Coppell in 1967 to raise cattle, ride horses, plant crops and farm the land on their rural homestead.

Grady continued his education to attain mechanic certifications, and worked many years as a maintenance mechanic at the U.S. Postal Service Bulk Mail Center in Dallas. Grady worked overtime at the mail center, on the farm and elsewhere to such an extent he was often labeled a “workaholic”. In reality, he enjoyed the effort involved with raising cattle, and working the soil to grow crops to feed the family. Grady worked hard to provide his family with the very best, and he felt satisfaction when he could see the fruits of his labor.

Grady’s demeanor was very calm, and he was seldom upset by matters big or small. He made new friends easily, and was eager to hear and share stories, backgrounds and experiences. Grady liked to do favors for others, but one often had to discover clever ways to return a favor to him. Even so, small gestures of appreciation meant a lot to Grady. Although a “people person”, he also found comfort, peace and solitude whether fishing, mowing a field or working on a farm tractor engine.

Grady very much cherished his family, and he faithfully attended the annual Aldridge Family Reunion in Blackshear, held at the ancestral family farm where he and his brothers and sisters played, worked the farm, got into trouble with Mom and Dad, and shared all things

Grady lost his beloved wife of 48 years, Betty Jo, to breast cancer in July 2007. In May 2008, he married Nell Childress, with whom he shared an active retirement until her death in August 2018. In June 2019, he married Linda Blair, a long-time friend whom he met while both worked at the bulk mail center, and who stayed by his side until the moment of his passing.

Grady Eugene Aldridge is survived by his two sons, Grady Martin Aldridge of Henrietta, Texas and Douglas Eugene Aldridge of Venice, California. He is survived by his wife, Linda Blair Aldridge of Red Oak, and her family. He is survived by his sister, Doris Rountree, of Patterson, Georgia; brother, James “Lonnie” Aldridge, of Jacksonville, Florida; brother, Walter Aldridge, of Blackshear, along with many nieces and nephews.

Grady Aldridge was a loving and caring father and devoted husband, and he will be missed by many friends and family members who appreciated him, adored and loved him.

Celebration of Life Memorial Services will be at 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, with Visitation from 1:00-3:00 P.M., at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home, Lewisville, Texas.

Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/243642520/grady-eugene-aldridge
• https://www.mulkeymasonlewisville.com/obituary/grady-aldridge