Jerry Lee Grady was born in Syracuse, New York, on June 13, 1955 to Betty Jane and John Luther Grady. He was the second born of 3 children, between his elder sister Brenda and younger brother David.
Born to deaf parents, Jerry grew up in a hearing household. Both his siblings and grandparents were hearing. They crossed over both cultures seamlessly and naturally learned sign language at a very early age. This would serve him well later on in life when he became a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter.
Jerry loved baseball, and as a kid would always play ball outside regardless of the weather. Music was an ever greater passion. In his teen years, he worked for free playing records at a radio station in Syracuse just so he could have easy access to them. He eventually made it his career and worked in the music industry for a number of years, allowing him to live in Colorado, Maryland, and Los Angeles to name a few.
In the summer of 1985, he met his wife Myrrha in Syracuse. Preferring warm weather to the cold winters in Syracuse, in the spring of 1987 they moved to California. Jerry joined OC Deaf where he was a staff interpreter for the remainder of his life. Jerry and Myrrha settled down and raised a family of three children: Jeremy, 26, Emily, 22 and Lindsey, 20.
A dedicated family man, there was nothing more important to him than his family. His children meant everything to him and they grew up basking in his unconditional love. Jerry shared his love of baseball and music with his children. At 6 months old, Jeremy was sporting an Angels baseball hat. He would talk for hours about strategy and stats with Emily. He would drive down to San Diego to go to a Padres games with Lindsey. The girls would learn music history from his expansive iTunes library.
Jerry was a man of few and carefully chosen words. He took his job and responsibilities seriously, yet viewed life optimistically and light-heartedly. He was a kind man, never one to impose on anyone, and was always very considerate of others. He was an unassuming man, who was true to himself, and as his daughter Emily describes him,"unapologetically him." He highly valued his comfort, especially when it came to attire, and Jerry was most comfortable in jeans and sneakers, even at the beach. When events dictated formal wear, he wore a suit and tie, but still sported his signature white sneakers.
Jerry was employed by the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness (specifically, LIFESIGNS) for over 30 years. Sadly, he passed away suddenly on August 30, 2017--without warning--without giving us a chance to say goodbye. He leaves to mourn his wife and children, other family members, and many, many friends and co-workers. He is missed, loved, and appreciated.
A great loss to the Southern California Deaf Community. Rest well, Jerry.
Born to deaf parents, Jerry grew up in a hearing household. Both his siblings and grandparents were hearing. They crossed over both cultures seamlessly and naturally learned sign language at a very early age. This would serve him well later on in life when he became a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter.
Jerry loved baseball, and as a kid would always play ball outside regardless of the weather. Music was an ever greater passion. In his teen years, he worked for free playing records at a radio station in Syracuse just so he could have easy access to them. He eventually made it his career and worked in the music industry for a number of years, allowing him to live in Colorado, Maryland, and Los Angeles to name a few.
In the summer of 1985, he met his wife Myrrha in Syracuse. Preferring warm weather to the cold winters in Syracuse, in the spring of 1987 they moved to California. Jerry joined OC Deaf where he was a staff interpreter for the remainder of his life. Jerry and Myrrha settled down and raised a family of three children: Jeremy, 26, Emily, 22 and Lindsey, 20.
A dedicated family man, there was nothing more important to him than his family. His children meant everything to him and they grew up basking in his unconditional love. Jerry shared his love of baseball and music with his children. At 6 months old, Jeremy was sporting an Angels baseball hat. He would talk for hours about strategy and stats with Emily. He would drive down to San Diego to go to a Padres games with Lindsey. The girls would learn music history from his expansive iTunes library.
Jerry was a man of few and carefully chosen words. He took his job and responsibilities seriously, yet viewed life optimistically and light-heartedly. He was a kind man, never one to impose on anyone, and was always very considerate of others. He was an unassuming man, who was true to himself, and as his daughter Emily describes him,"unapologetically him." He highly valued his comfort, especially when it came to attire, and Jerry was most comfortable in jeans and sneakers, even at the beach. When events dictated formal wear, he wore a suit and tie, but still sported his signature white sneakers.
Jerry was employed by the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness (specifically, LIFESIGNS) for over 30 years. Sadly, he passed away suddenly on August 30, 2017--without warning--without giving us a chance to say goodbye. He leaves to mourn his wife and children, other family members, and many, many friends and co-workers. He is missed, loved, and appreciated.
A great loss to the Southern California Deaf Community. Rest well, Jerry.
Jerry Lee Grady was born in Syracuse, New York, on June 13, 1955 to Betty Jane and John Luther Grady. He was the second born of 3 children, between his elder sister Brenda and younger brother David.
Born to deaf parents, Jerry grew up in a hearing household. Both his siblings and grandparents were hearing. They crossed over both cultures seamlessly and naturally learned sign language at a very early age. This would serve him well later on in life when he became a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter.
Jerry loved baseball, and as a kid would always play ball outside regardless of the weather. Music was an ever greater passion. In his teen years, he worked for free playing records at a radio station in Syracuse just so he could have easy access to them. He eventually made it his career and worked in the music industry for a number of years, allowing him to live in Colorado, Maryland, and Los Angeles to name a few.
In the summer of 1985, he met his wife Myrrha in Syracuse. Preferring warm weather to the cold winters in Syracuse, in the spring of 1987 they moved to California. Jerry joined OC Deaf where he was a staff interpreter for the remainder of his life. Jerry and Myrrha settled down and raised a family of three children: Jeremy, 26, Emily, 22 and Lindsey, 20.
A dedicated family man, there was nothing more important to him than his family. His children meant everything to him and they grew up basking in his unconditional love. Jerry shared his love of baseball and music with his children. At 6 months old, Jeremy was sporting an Angels baseball hat. He would talk for hours about strategy and stats with Emily. He would drive down to San Diego to go to a Padres games with Lindsey. The girls would learn music history from his expansive iTunes library.
Jerry was a man of few and carefully chosen words. He took his job and responsibilities seriously, yet viewed life optimistically and light-heartedly. He was a kind man, never one to impose on anyone, and was always very considerate of others. He was an unassuming man, who was true to himself, and as his daughter Emily describes him,"unapologetically him." He highly valued his comfort, especially when it came to attire, and Jerry was most comfortable in jeans and sneakers, even at the beach. When events dictated formal wear, he wore a suit and tie, but still sported his signature white sneakers.
Jerry was employed by the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness (specifically, LIFESIGNS) for over 30 years. Sadly, he passed away suddenly on August 30, 2017--without warning--without giving us a chance to say goodbye. He leaves to mourn his wife and children, other family members, and many, many friends and co-workers. He is missed, loved, and appreciated.
A great loss to the Southern California Deaf Community. Rest well, Jerry.
Born to deaf parents, Jerry grew up in a hearing household. Both his siblings and grandparents were hearing. They crossed over both cultures seamlessly and naturally learned sign language at a very early age. This would serve him well later on in life when he became a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter.
Jerry loved baseball, and as a kid would always play ball outside regardless of the weather. Music was an ever greater passion. In his teen years, he worked for free playing records at a radio station in Syracuse just so he could have easy access to them. He eventually made it his career and worked in the music industry for a number of years, allowing him to live in Colorado, Maryland, and Los Angeles to name a few.
In the summer of 1985, he met his wife Myrrha in Syracuse. Preferring warm weather to the cold winters in Syracuse, in the spring of 1987 they moved to California. Jerry joined OC Deaf where he was a staff interpreter for the remainder of his life. Jerry and Myrrha settled down and raised a family of three children: Jeremy, 26, Emily, 22 and Lindsey, 20.
A dedicated family man, there was nothing more important to him than his family. His children meant everything to him and they grew up basking in his unconditional love. Jerry shared his love of baseball and music with his children. At 6 months old, Jeremy was sporting an Angels baseball hat. He would talk for hours about strategy and stats with Emily. He would drive down to San Diego to go to a Padres games with Lindsey. The girls would learn music history from his expansive iTunes library.
Jerry was a man of few and carefully chosen words. He took his job and responsibilities seriously, yet viewed life optimistically and light-heartedly. He was a kind man, never one to impose on anyone, and was always very considerate of others. He was an unassuming man, who was true to himself, and as his daughter Emily describes him,"unapologetically him." He highly valued his comfort, especially when it came to attire, and Jerry was most comfortable in jeans and sneakers, even at the beach. When events dictated formal wear, he wore a suit and tie, but still sported his signature white sneakers.
Jerry was employed by the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness (specifically, LIFESIGNS) for over 30 years. Sadly, he passed away suddenly on August 30, 2017--without warning--without giving us a chance to say goodbye. He leaves to mourn his wife and children, other family members, and many, many friends and co-workers. He is missed, loved, and appreciated.
A great loss to the Southern California Deaf Community. Rest well, Jerry.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
