Obituary of Alvin Dan Grady

Alvin Dan Grady, 69, of Hermantown, Minn., passed away on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015. Alvin was born in Ely, England to the late Dan and Constance Grady on Sept. 8, 1945. He was raised in Nashville, Tenn., and graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 1967 with a degree in Political Science. In 1967 he joined the United States Air Force and was initially assigned to the old Duluth Air Force base. Alvin married Rose Ann Anderson in 1970 and was hopelessly in love with her for over 44 years. He served a tour at Osan Air Base in Korea and in 1975 he was discharged from the Air Force and joined the Air Guard at the Duluth Base. Senior Master Sergeant Grady retired in 1998 with a total Military service time of 31 years. His awards included the Meritorious Service medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, Air Force Commendation medal, National Defense and Good Conduct medals. In 1999 he worked for a short time at ISD 709 Facilities Management before taking the position of Director of Finance at the Duluth Airport, where he worked before retiring in 2005. Alvin was a long-time member of the Air Force Association and a Board member of the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame, where he served as chairperson of the selection committee. He spent countless hours researching Duluth's aviation history and gave numerous presentations to Kiwanis and church groups, high schools, etc. His favorite interests included curling, long distance running, world travel, history and collecting helmets. He was extremely patriotic. Alvin is survived by his wife, Rose Ann; sister Karen Murrell and brother Andrew Grady. SERVICE: 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5, in Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Ave., Duluth with Military honors accorded by the Duluth VFW Combined Honor Guard. Burial will be held in the spring. Memorials may be directed to Solvay Hospice House, 801 Baylis St. Duluth, MN 55811