Raymond Grady, 65, of White Shield, passed away on August 15, 2024, in Tulsa, OK.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at the New Ralph Wells Community Complex, White Shield, ND. Burial to follow at the Bluestone Village Cemetery.
Wake Services will begin at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at the New Ralph Wells Community Complex, White Shield, ND. Procession will leave from the Funeral Home at 4:00 PM to White Shield.
Our beloved father, brother, grandfather, and uncle went home to be with the Lord on August 15, 2024. He was sixty-five years old. He was a member of the Low Cap clan of the Hidatsa and a child of the Flint Knife clan.
Raymond was born on January 12, 1959, in St. Louis, Missouri to Julia Bluestone and Harry Grady. Raymond came from a family of six: three brothers and three sisters. He lived and grew up in White Shield and Bluestone Village. While growing up, he helped his Grandma and Grandpa Bluestone with their ranch for many years. He also helped with the garden and took care of their animals.
While attending high school at St. Mary’s High School at New England, ND, he was the kicker on their state playoff football team in 1976. He graduated from White Shield High School in 1978. He enjoyed playing football and basketball.
After graduation, he entered the U.S. Army with his good friend Russell Charging. He completed basic training and advanced training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, as a Construction Equipment Repairer. He was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington and in Germany. He spent three years and eight months in the U.S. Army and received an Honorable Discharge in 1982.
After his discharge, he moved back to White Shield. He earned a Liberal Arts Degree from the Fort Berthold Community College. In 1988, his life changed in a wonderful way. He became a father. He had two children Natasha and Jolene. He was an active parent to his children. He attended their events and constantly checked on their progress in school. He was very proud when they graduated high school. He held big parties for them!
Raymond had a knack for technology. This helped him get a job as a Computer Technician for the White Shield Schools. He worked there for thirty-two years and retired in 2023. At his retirement, he was a Data Entry Technician. Throughout many of those years, he coached tee ball, softball, baseball, and basketball. Raymond’s love for the students and children in the community kept him active and involved at the school until his retirement.
He enjoyed the annual coaching matchups between his White Shield Warriors versus his brother Arnie’s New Town Eagles, and his nephew Kyle’s Mandaree Warriors. These wins would result in annual bragging rights on who was the best “coach” in the family! Win, lose, or draw, he loved to coach against his brother and nephew.
Raymond, his Charging brothers (Russell and Stanley), and brother Arnie were die hard North Dakota State University Bison football team fans. Russell’s dad played for the Bison in the 1950s and Raymond’s high school football coach played on an NDSU National Championship team. They have cheered for the Bison for decades. His favorite pro team was the Kansas City Chiefs.
Although he had major health problems from his 40’s until the time of his death, he lived life to its fullest. He enjoyed going to pow-wows and to Minot and Bismarck to shop, eat, and see movies. Over the years, he served on several Arikara Celebrations including being their President and Flag Bearer. He attended many veteran activities. He was proud to have had the opportunity to serve his country. He was very proud and happy to take part in the American Legion Posts that he was a part of.
In 2009, he became a “Papa.” By becoming a grandfather, he believed that his life was complete. His children and grandchildren were the spark of his life. He loved being a father and grandfather. He was proud of them. He enjoyed traveling with them and watching them grow up. He spoiled them with gifts and trips. His grandson Mackenzie was his partner in crime over the past twelve years. Rarely did you see Raymond without Mackenzie. Along with being a proud parent and grandparent, he had a special relationship with his son-in-law Percy Chase. He gave advice and encouraging words to Percy on being a great dad.
Raymond enjoyed visiting friends and relatives. Throughout the summer, he loved to plan family get togethers. He loved to grill. He even enjoyed teaching his sons and son-in-law about grilling. He had the best speaker system on Sesame Street. He was well known for playing his rock and roll and later his special hip hop music for his neighbors. He loved mowing lawns for community members and family.
Whenever there was a family activity, he showed up and brought food to help with the event. He was a friend to many people. He was a father figure to many of his nieces and nephews. He had a quiet personality and those that were around him knew that he had a genuine connection with them. He loved to tease. If someone got a nickname from him, you knew there was a special place in his heart for them.
Raymond will be missed greatly.
Raymond is survived by his children/family: Daughters: Natasha Chase (Percy), Bismarck and Jolene Hall, New Town. Son: Robert Grady Sr. Grandchildren: MacKenzie Ray Woundedface, Julia A’marie Woundedface, Amina Carle’ Chase, Wakeen Chaske Iron, and Alaya Lamae Ugalde. Sisters: Christine Bluestone, rural Parshall and Josie Costanza, Omaha, NE; Brother: Arnold Grady (Leizel), rural Parshall. Many Nieces and Nephews; and Aunties’ Ella Mae (Bluestone) Baker, Bismarck, and Phyllis (Bluestone) Wells (Steve), Bismarck.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, maternal grandparents’ Tom & Margaret Bluestone, paternal grandparents’ Charles Grady Sr. & Jessie Ward, brothers Myron L. Grady, Robert Grady, twin brother, sisters Janet Grady-Slind, Elan Cunningham, Corrine Grant, Helen Grant, Margaret Grady, and son Kyle Grady Sr.
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