Walter John O'Grady

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Celebrating the life of
Walter John O'GradyMarch 11, 1926 - October 24, 2009

Walter John O'Grady, a former U.S. Foreign Service Officer, died on October 24, at St. Joseph's Hospital. He was 83.
Mr. O'Grady was born on March 11, 1926, in Johnstown, New York. He enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II, and served in the South Pacific, aboard the U.S.S. Richard W. Suesens, DE-342. He received the Navy Unit Citation, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 stars, the Philippines Liberation Medal with two stars and the WW II victory medal.
After the war, he worked briefly in construction in Amarillo, Texas, and for the Atcheson, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad before joining the U.S. State Department's Foreign Service in 1948. During his 28-year diplomatic career, he was posted to Chungking, China; Hong Kong at that time a British territory; Jakarta, Indonesia; Yokohama, Japan; Bangkok, Thailand; Lagos, Nigeria; Colombo, Ceylon now Sri Lanka; Oslo, Norway; Mogadishu, Somalia; Sanaa, Yemen; Pretoria and Capetown, South Africa, and Rangoon, Burma now Myanmar.
He and his first wife, Margaret Galvin O'Grady, retired to Savannah in 1976. Mr. O'Grady entered a second career, as paralegal and office manager for Lee & Clark later Clark & Clark. After a brief illness, Peg O'Grady died in 1988. Mr. O'Grady served as a delegate to the National Democratic Convention and as an adjutant for the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade. He volunteered within the court system as a children's advocate. He later married Mary Ann Kenner DuPont, secretary to retired Supreme Court of Georgia Justice H. Sol Clark.
Mr. O'Grady is preceded in death by his parents, Walter O'Grady and Nellie Horning O'Grady, his five sisters, Catherine Fisher, Ruth Frazier, Lulu Fisher, Evelyn Peclet, and Fannie Tretola, and his first wife, Margaret Peg O'Grady. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann O'Grady; a son and daughter-in-law, Daniel J. O'Grady and Deborah Guido, both Foreign Service Officers now serving at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey; a daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen O'Grady and Lyndy Brannen, Register, GA; five stepchildren, Margaret DuPont, Mt. Pleasant, SC; John B. DuPont, Gaithersburg, MD; Patricia William Easterlin, Louisville, GA; Mary Brux DuPont, Landenberg, PA; and Dorsey DuPont, Frederick, MD; six grandchildren, Wendy Will Ellis, Statesboro, GA; Laurie Jimmy Waite, Tyrone, PA; Jennifer DuPont, Bedford, PA; Caitlin O'Grady, London, England; Erin O'Grady, Williamsburg, VA; and Will, Clare and Frank Easterlin, Louisville, GA; three great grandchildren, Grace and Rose, of Statesboro, GA, and Lydia of Bedford, PA; and numerous niece, nephews and other relatives.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, October 30th at St. Michael's and All Angels Episcopal Church, Savannah, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in his memory to the Humane Society of Savannah/Chatham, Inc. or The Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517. Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com
Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel

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Walt served his country admiradably, loved his pets, and left us a wonderful family to love. Much to be proud of. God Bless.

- Mandi Cody, Statesboro, GA

We enjoyed Walter's wit, kindness and compassion. He will be missed. Amy & Woody Hale

- Amy & Woody Hale, Savannah, GA

So many fond memories of vacations and holidays with Wendy, Grandpop and my 'Savannah Family'. He was such a kind and generous man. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

- Shannon Rhodes Witt, Kent, OH

Walter was a gentle and kind man with a great sense of humor. We will miss his company at the Dog Park.

- Colin and Jackie Stewart, Savannah, GA

Helen and I are so sorry to hear of your loss.

- STEVE AND HELEN BEATY, SAVANNAH, GA

Walter was a wonderfull man. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ming and the family.

- Stan & Cubby Plonchak, Savannah, GA

Walter was a quiet man of integrity. A wry sense of humor and a first rate thinker. We will miss him dearly at the dog park. Eric Hobday

- Eric Hobday, Savannah, GA