Master Chief Petty Officer James Terrance “Doc” O’Grady
Master Chief Petty Officer James Terrance “Doc” O’Grady, 75, of Hitchcock, passed away May 4, 2017 following a brief but courageous battle with cancer.
Jim was born September 25, 1941 in Mitchell, South Dakota to Leo and Eva O’Grady. He was the 9th of 10 children, with 4 brothers and 5 sisters. He was a very active athlete, excelling in all sports while he was in high school. Jim enlisted in the United States Navy in 1958, and he served as a hospital corpsman. He was a Vietnam War veteran, having completed two tours as a front-line field medic. Jim honorably retired from active service in 1988 at the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer, having received numerous decorations during his 30-year career. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post #5400 and a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Hitchcock.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ray and Bob, sisters Maureen, Betty, Pat, and Sharon. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Nancy Ferre O’Grady, daughter Maureen Mancuso and husband Danny of Hitchcock, son Dennis, son Danny and wife Jeanie of Santa Fe, and daughter Teresa Presson and husband Doug of Longview, Texas, grandchildren Christi Rehm, Tim and Brian O’Grady, Kayla Erickson, and Joshua and Cody Presson, as well as six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers Virgil and wife Marilyn of Missouri, and Marvin and wife Geneva of Minnesota, sister Mary Jean of South Dakota, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.
The family will receive visitors at Crowder Funeral Home, 851 FM 517 W. in Dickinson on Monday, May 8, 2017 beginning at 6:00 PM. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7:00 PM, led by Deacon Alvin Lovelady. A private inurnment will take place at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Dickinson.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may honor Jim’s life with a memorial to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church ACTS Ministry, 10114 Hwy. 6, Hitchcock, TX 77563.
So sorry for your loss Texas and Digger
So sorry to hear about Terry. I am a cousin of his and even though it has been several years since I have seen him, we are sad to hear of his passing. You have our sympathy.
We would like to offer our condolences, to my dear Auntie Nancy, her children, my beloved cousins, Maureen, Dennis, Danny and Teresa.I did not speak often with my Uncle Jim, but when we did, he was always very full of wisdom.
I would like to share, one very happy memory of my Uncle Jim, it was the spring of 1976, we were living in Phoenix, AZ and he volunteered to be a chaperone for a field trip to see the “Liberty Train”; in his big blue malibu wagaon, stocked with ice chest full of soda’s, he drove me and several class mates to the event; I was the “queen of the day”; because of him.
I will always have my memories, I love you, Uncle Jim.
Wanted to send my condolences to Auntie Nancy, but also wanted her and her children to know, I will always have a childhood memory of Uncle Jim, making sure, I had warm pop tarts, before school and a cold pepsi, for the ride home.
But, the memory, that really makes me smile, was when we were working on putting in a horse shoe pit, and he hit the water line….this just makes me laugh and smile.
Love you Uncle Jim
Our love to all of the family as we share in the loss of Uncle Terry. May God keep you in His arms and comfort you in the days, and years, ahead.
Love
Peggy and Lance Hubbard
Daughter and son-in-law of Patricia O’Grady Pool
My family met OG at NAF El Centro circa 1980’s along with the Moran’s. Our daughters became great friends and remain so today. We celebrated many many wonderful holidays together and many weekends in the pool. Our lives have been intertwined for 35+ years even though the guys retired from the Navy and moved away. Sadly, OG is the 7th of our dear ones to pass. I know they have reunited and are having those same conversations they had for so many years. Gee will keep them in line! Nancy and family, we love you dearly and our hearts are so very sad for the loss of OG. We will miss him!
The O’Gradys practically adopted me for a few weeks when I was 15. That summer, we trekked across Texas, New Mexico and Arizona on our way to El Centro, Ca. It was one of the best times of my life and I cried my eyes out when I had to go back home! “Dad” opened his home and heart to me, and I’ll never forget it. Sending love and prayers of comfort for Theresa, Danny, Maureen, Dennis and “Mom”.
May all the memories of him
Let you find some peace
Stay blessed and be strong
My heartfelt condolences are with you!
Dear Aunt Nancy,
This is Sandy O’Grady Roser, Ray’s oldest daughter. I am so sorry to hear of Uncle Terry’s passing. My biggest memory of him is dancing with him at Grandma & Grandpa O’Grady’s house in Monroe. I vowed that when I grew up I would marry him. Lucky you, you were able to do that. Please know that all of us in Freeport, IL are thinking of you and your family and remembering Uncle Terry with love.
Love, Sandy
I’m a cousin of the O’Grady.s. It has been several years since I have seen Terry but have heard many good things about him from his brother Virgil. I do remember back in the late 40’s their family used to come to my folk’s farm and the cousins had a great time playing in the trees and barns.
Am sure he will be deeply missed.
Our Condolences and may he rest in peace.
Donald and Janette Garvis
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Terry. I am a cousin of his and remember he and family visiting my parents on the farm in Ethan South Dakota
My heart breaks for all of you. May God comfort you in your sadness. I love you all more than you will ever know. I am so grateful I called Uncle Jim a couple of years ago, I wanted to let him know, how much I loved him, he has been the only father figure in my life. He was always larger than life in my eyes, I remember when I was little and it was 4th of July and we were in Oceanside, at the fireworks, I was so scared and he held me so tight and protected me. I still don’t like fireworks, and whenever I see them and hear them I think of that time.
I know we all have grown up, and have our own lives, I want my dear Auntie and my cousins, to know, I think of you all the time, I pray for all of you.
God Bless you all
Love,Tammy
HMCM, you inspired my to always be better, thank you for believing in me as a young Navy Corpsman in El Centro 1983-1986. Love you, til we meet again
Linda Melkonian Shinn
Sarah- (One of Marvin and Genevieve’s daughters, MN) It is with deep sympathy and grand respect, that I send my heartfelt condolences, love and prayers, to each of you now…and always!
“Dear Father, who art in Heaven…Please take good care of Our (Uncle) Terry! May he rest comfortably now, in peace! Also God…will you please continue, to Bless Us All! ps…Thank you God, ALWAYS- for giving me such a wonderful, amazing, beautiful and strong, Family Tree!”
Most sincerely, Love Sarah xoxo
I knew Jim when we were stationed in El Cento! He will be missed! Condolences to Nancy and his family!
I will forever live out your legacy through my self and my children your great grandchildren I love you poppy …you are forever my hero.
The best of times with Jim at Camp Pendleton , Calif in 1971-1972 along with Larry . We boiled lobster with Jim & Nancy at there home with Larry and Dorthy, Linda and I. Jim was honor to know! Chip Lang