Grady Pendelton Jr.

OBITUARY: PENDLETON, Grady Reasons, Jr. “Penny” USAF Col., Ret.

Passed away on July 28, 2008. Born in Shreveport, Caddo Parrish, LA on 7-2-20. Predeceased by wife of 41 years, Norma Lee Staggs Pendleton, parents, G.R. Pendleton, Sr., Mary Flora McIntosh Pendleton Oldom and brother, Herman Macon Pendleton.

Sadly missed by survivors: Wife of 16 years, Vivian Lewis Stroud Pendleton, Children, Robert Pendleton, wife Debra, Rory Pendleton Oliver, husband John, and Rick Pendleton, wife Marla. Also, step-children, Ramon “Trey” Stroud, wife Brenda, and Stacey Stroud Fernandez, husband Dan. Eleven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Brother, Leland Pendleton, wife Pat.

Graduated San Antonio, TX, Vocational & Technical High School in 1938 and served in the Texas National Guard before enlisting in the US Army, Machine Gun Troop, 124th Cavalry. Transferred to 2nd Signal Co., 2nd Infantry Division. Graduated OCS, Ft. Monmouth, NJ. Serving in 387th Signal Corp, 903 RD AAF, Orlando, FL, 4525th AAF BU, Robins Field, GA, 4530th AAF BU, Kelly Field, TX. During WWII, set up communication stations in the Philippine Islands Luzon, Ryukyus, Biak Nei, Letye and Okinawa, Japan.

After the war, he served at Bergstrom Field, Austin, TX, Barksdale AFB, Shreveport, LA and Weisbaden, Germany during the Berlin Air Lift, Operation “Vittles”. Stationed in St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada, Mildenhall AFB, South Ruislip, Lakenheath, England, Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ, Kesler AFB, Biloxi, MS, George AFB, Victorville, CA. At MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida, he was first Deputy Commander of the Communications Support Element, 4503d Support Squadron, STRIKE command HQ. During the Vietnam War, he was the U.S. Representative to SEATO in Bangkok, Thailand. Retired from MacDill in 1969 with 30 yrs., 11 mos. and one day service.

Grady enjoyed a long retirement; traveling, flying his Cessna 150, selling commercial real estate, serving as Auxiliary Deputy for Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and as an officer for the Bay Crest Park Special Taxing District. His hobbies included CB Radio, woodworking and photography. He was a member of Carrollwood Baptist Church.

The family wishes to thank all the caring personnel at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital who made his last days more comfortable.

Family and friends can remember his life and celebrate his home going at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida on Friday, August 1st. Visitation 9:30 – 10:15 am. Service at 10:30 a.m.
Full military honors and interment will be at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida.