Danny W. Grady

Danny W. Grady, 72, of Champaign, Illinois, died at 7:11 pm, Saturday, September 15th, 2018, at Carle Hospital in Urbana, Il.

There will be a visitation from 4:30-7:00 on Monday September 24 at Meadowbrook Community Church (1902 S. Duncan Rd. Champaign), with a funeral service at 11:00 on Tuesday September 25, also at the church.  The Rev. Ron Strack will officiate.  Dan's family would like to extend an invitation to their family and friends to join them for a luncheon immediately following the funeral service at the church.  In accordance with family wishes, Danny will be cremated after the funeral service and his cremated remains will be buried at Danville National Cemetery in a private ceremony at a future date.

He was born 14 June, 1946 in Danville Il, a son of William Maine and Esther (Lonbom) Grady.

Dan wore many hats over the course of a fully lived life.  At 17 joining the Army and serving 7 years including a life changing tour in Viet Nam. 

He married Jeanne Remesch during this time, they were married 14 years and had a family together.  He subsequently married Connie Todd; they were married for 25 years.  In his later years he was in a long term relationship with his devoted caregiver, Diane Tilson.  She and Jeanne survive.

After his time in the Army, Dan became a police officer, serving several small towns in central Illinois.

He also had a deeply private relationship with our Heavenly Father.  Like iron sharpens iron, he would debate, and privately pray.  He used his gift of song as he took “Dan Grady Ministries” familiar white trailer for praise sessions all over the area.

Dan enjoyed skydiving, racing cars, tootsie rolls, The Gaithers and Alan Jackson.  

Of all the hats that Dan wore, he was foremost a martial artist.  Having begun a lifelong study at 17 years old, he would be committed to the arts all his life.  He was instrumental in starting the womens self defence movement in Champaign Il by starting courses through Parkland college in the 1970’s.  He would go on to open many Dojos in multiple cities wherever he was.  He was Soke Grady at the end having Mastered many systems and eventually founding his own, Kami Sama Bushi Kan in 1977.  Additionally, he was inducted into The Martial Arts Hall of Fame and later into The United States Martial Arts Association Hall of Fame.  Soke Grady impacted hundreds of students’ lives and  leaves behind a legacy of dozens of students who have expressed respect and gratitude for his leadership, mentoring and spiritual guidance.

He is survived by his children, Donna Jene “Dede” Brogdon of Rankin, Il, Daniel E. (Karen) Grady, of Tolono, Il, Jeffrey P. (Kari) Grady, of Champaign, Il, Jennifer L. (Andy) Burnett of Urbana, Il.  Two brothers; Mike (Lydia) Grady of Colubus GA, and David Sheets of Nashville Tn. and a nephew, Michael Grady, Jr. Hamilton, GA

Grandchildren, Larra (Alex) Kelly, Molly Brogdon, Kyle (Brianna)Reed, Kurt (Jessica) Maske,  Keisha Grady, Krystal Grady, Alexandria Grady, Courtney Grady, Lyndie Burnett, Hannah Burnett, Bailey Burnett, Artem Burnett and Hazel Burnett.  Dan was also blessed with three Great-grandchildren; Kaleb Frazier, Braiden Grady and Kyleen Wooten.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents and a niece, Vanessa Grady McKinnon.
 

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