James O'Grady

James Roe O?Grady, Husband, Father, Son and Brother, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2008 at the age of 74.rnrnJames was born May 15, 1934 in Rochester, New York to parents, Patrick Joseph and Bridgett (Maquire) O?Grady. While as a child he spent 4 years in his parent?s native country of Ireland while they recovered from the crippling effects of the depression.rnHe attended St. Joseph?s Catholic Elementary School, Junior High and Batavia High School in Batavia, New York.rnrnJames joined the 101st Airborne Division as a paratrooper, serving for 3 years and receiving an honorable discharge.rnrnAfter serving in the military James continued his career and trained as a professional pilot in Sarasota, Florida where he received his professional pilots license with an instrument rating. James flew for Air America and at different times as a charter pilot and as an aerial applicator (spray pilot). He amassed over 40,000 total flight hours. James loved flying with all his heart and soul. His motto was that any landing you could walk away from was a good landing. His love for flying occupied his professional life for over 42 years. After his retirement at the age of 66 he was still talking about getting back in the plane.rnrnJames married Frances Carol (Murphy) O?Grady on October 4, 1968 in Vernon, Texas and inherited her two young sons as part of the deal. He adopted both of them while they were in High School. He chose them as his sons and they were proud to call him ?Dad?. A younger brother, James Patrick was born July 9, 1970.rnrnJames and Frances lived in Muleshoe, Texas until 1997 and moved to Amarillo, Texas living there until 2006 where they moved to Seminole, Oklahoma.rnrnJames was an involved loving husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, watching Notre Dame and Dallas Cowboys football games.rnrnAfter retirement he became an avid golfer but most importantly he became reacquainted and intimate with our Lord Jesus Christ. He will be terribly missed but he will always be remembered in the hearts of his family.rnrnJames was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Thomas, John and Francis (Jack) O?Grady and sister Rita Heatherman.rnrnHe is survived by wife Frances of the home, sons: Stephen Lynn O?Grady of Ada, Oklahoma, Sidney Michael O?Grady of Amarillo, Texas and James Patrick O?Grady of Albuquerque, New Mexico, two brothers Jerome O?Grady of Albany New York, Vincent O?Grady of Bergen, New York and one sister: Margaret Miller of Lake Clear, New York. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren plus three step grandchildren.rnrnrnServing as honorary bearers are Wyatt Jacob O?Grady, Tate Murphy O?Grady, Hoby Gene Hawkins, Heston Gene Hawkins, Bruce Lee Hawkins, Jim Heatherman and Patrick Leo O?Grady.rn rnrnMemorial Service will be held Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. at the Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel with Rusty Fuller officiating. A Mass will follow at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 2:00pm with Father Basil Kennan, O.S.B. officiating. Funeral Information: October 20, 2008, 12:00 AM