Colonel Grady Douglas Gafford

Colonel Grady Douglas Gafford (USAF retired) of Macon went to be with the Lord on August 19, 2013. He was born in Greenville, Alabama on April 26, 1922 to Joseph Porter Gafford and Mattie Belle Gafford. Grady Gafford was predeceased by his beloved wife of fifteen years, Myrtice Johnson Gafford, and his brothers, Joe Gafford, Jr. and Jack Gafford. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by many friends and loved ones. His survivors include: his brother, Dr. William L. Gafford (Lucy) of Mobile, Alabama; his daughter, Pam McKinnon (Bob) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; his son, Dr. Grady Gafford (Tina) of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania; his stepson, Willard Johnson (Ginger) of Cochran, Georgia; grandchildren, Lisa Freeman (Paul), Amy Wright (Matt), Kevin McKinnon (Calie), Ethan Gafford (Samantha), Alissa Abrams (Jake), Cassie Gafford; his step-grandchildren, Brena (Brian) Siddall and Matthew Manning; and thirteen great-grandchildren, Cole, Clay and Cassie Freeman, Eden, Chloe and Hazel Wright, Carter, Tyler, Chase and Cameron McKinnon, Benjamin Abrams, Skye and Sailee Siddall; special friend, Joyce Walsh. Colonel Gafford was a World War II veteran, a command pilot and a graduate of the Air War College. He retired after thirty years of service in the United States Air Force in 1973 at Robins Air Force Base where he was Comptroller of the Air Force Logistics Center. He then served eleven years as Comptroller and Associate Superintendent of the Bibb County Public Schools before retiring in 1985. He had a degree in Business Administration from Troy State University, Alabama, where he played both football and basketball and served as Student Body President. He was elected to Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society. He held an MBA from the Air Force Institute of Technology, Dayton, Ohio, where he was in the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Fraternity. He was an avid golfer and was a member at Healy Point. Grady served the Macon community in many ways. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Christ in Macon, having served as a deacon and chairman of several committees. He also served on the Board of Directors of The Middle Georgia Commission on Drugs, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Macon 2000 Excellence in Education, MidSouth Community Federal Credit Union and the Macon Rescue Mission. The family will greet friends on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 1:00PM at the First Baptist Church of Christ in Macon followed by the memorial service at 2:00PM. The Reverends Scott Dickison and Ben Taylor will officiate. Memorial donations may be made to The First Baptist Church of Christ in Macon, 511 High Place, Macon, Georgia 31201 or to the Macon Rescue Mission, 744 Hazel Street, Macon, Georgia 31201. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary and Crematory, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.