HIGH POINT — Woodrow E. Grady, (Woody), age 71, passed away on November 12, 2012. Woody's wish was to be cremated. He asked that his friends and family celebrate his life, rather than mourn his passing. He was born in Shreveport, LA, September 2, 1941, the only son of Edna Eppinette Grady and Woodrow Wilson Grady, both deceased, In the early 50's his family returned to High Point, home of his dad and his dad's family. He was especially proud of the fact that Mark became an Eagle Scout and Renee became a flight attendant with US Airways, starting with Piedmont Airlines, where she continues to work. Early in her career Renee actually landed on the very runway in Myrtle Beach where Woody worked, not 100 feet from where Woody performed his weather duties for five and one half years while in the US Air Force. This was the air base where Mark and Renee were born. Woody had an early interest in photography which led to a career in printing and graphic art. He started Alderman Studios in High Point. He then ran Arnold Copy Centers in Greensboro for several years. He left there to go with the GAF Corporation, selling graphic films. This company sold to the Andlinger Group, was named Anitec Imaging and eventually acquired by International Paper Company, where he retired after 22 years. Woody's sales philosophy was the Golden Rule, 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you'. He never wanted a dis-satisfied customer and would go to any ends to satisfy his customers. Many times he took money from his own pocket to make the deal right. Before joining Alderman's, Woody served in the Air Force as a weather observer. He was stationed in Myrtle Beach SC. He also served two years in the active Air Force Reserves and 18 months in the NC National Guard. he was assigned to the Army's 30th aviation Battalion in Raleigh NC. While at Myrtle Beach he became a lifeguard for Vernon's Beach Service and was probably only one of two people ever thrown out of the 'Bowery' in Myrtle Beach. After retirement Woody wanted to work in a newspaper and hardware store. He worked for Greensboro News in the composing room, where his dad had worked many years earlier. He worked part-time for High Point Hardware. Two of his 'fun' jobs were as Broker-Realtor in the real estate business with Ed Price and Associates in High Point and Guardsmark and Securitas as a part-time security guard. While in security he worked at many locations, including Wachovia in Raleigh and Winston-Salem, Sprint World Headquarters in Wake-Forest, Lord Corp. in Cary, American Express and Volvo Trucks in Greensboro. Woody was a private pilot for twenty five years. He owned several airplanes or a share of one. His flights took him to such locations as; the Bahamas, New York City, Myrtle Beach, Palm Beach, Howell Michigan and may other airports. His last flight was in an AT-6 Texan, doing aerobatics over Badin Lake on a beautiful day. On his 70th birthday he flew at PTI. Woody was past president of the High Point Civitan Club, former member of the High Point Elks Lodge, past president of the Carolina Craftsman (printing) club, past member of the High Point Board of Realtors, the NC Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. Woody Grady loved all animals. Pugs were his favorite. In addition to his parents, preceding him in death was a nephew, Jon Shuford. He is survived by his last wife, Toni Grady, a son Mark Grady of Greensboro, a daughter Renee Hutcheon and son-in-law Michael Hutcheon with grandchildren Will & Lauren Hutcheon of High Point. He is also survived by first wife Janice J. Goad, mother of his two children. Also surviving is a stepdaughter Amber Brock & husband Don Brock, two grandchildren; Chapell & Carlyn Brock of Kernersville, a sister Shirley Grady, a niece Regina Tapler and husband Mike of Winston-Salem, NC and a great niece, Hannah Tapler of Winston-Salem.

A Celebration of Woody's Life will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 17 at Covenant Church United Methodist with Reverend Billy Rintz and Reverend Michelle Foster officiating. The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. until the time of the service Woody's ashes will be placed in a simple container with Myrtle Beach sand and cremated ashes from his favorite pugs. At a later date Woody would like his ashes scattered from Pier 14 at Myrtle Beach. He spent many happy hours there listening to his friend Robert Cooper play the guitar or from the Pier at Ocean Drive where he visited with his beach buddies. A wake will be held at Ducks in Ocean Drive. First drinks are on Toni. Memorials in Woody's memory may be made to The Cancer Research Institute of the Southeast, National Headquarters, One Exchange Plaza 55, Broadway, Suite 1802, New York City, NY 10006, or The American Lung Association, PO Box 27985, Raleigh, NC 27611, or to Covenant Church United Methodist, 1526 Skeet Club Road, High Point, NC 27265. In true fashion Woody authored his own obituary.

Online condolences may be made at www.cumbyfuneral.com

Arrangements by Cumby Family Funeral Service of High Point.