Grady Clifton Wright was born on March 1, 1944 in Monroe, Louisiana to Alonzo and Annie Wright. Grady passed away on April 12, 2025, at the age of 81, having faced a brief and unexpected diagnosis of cancer with incredible strength and grace.

Grady accepted Christ at St. James Baptist Church in Monroe, Louisiana at an early age. He was a proud graduate of the Carroll High School Class of 1961. Following his graduation from high school, Grady proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1961 to 1965 before attending Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana. He graduated with a degree in Mathematics and later enhanced his career with certificate programs for Senior Executives in national and international security from Harvard University; Executive Institute for management of High Technology Companies from Stanford University; and Global Leadership Program from Thunderbird, School of Global Management.

Grady met the love of his life, Barbara Catherine, in 1987 while hanging out after work at a local restaurant and nightclub in Washington, DC. By way of introduction, Grady dropped the line, "tonight you have met Mr. Wright," and after some additional persuasion, they made an instant connection. They subsequently married on December 8, 1992 in Maui, Hawaii and have been by each other's sides ever since.

Grady leaves behind a leadership legacy in technology characterized by significant innovation, unwavering dedication, and substantial responsibility in the realm of information technology.

Grady's career has been highlighted by leadership responsibility in the delivery of systems engineering and systems integration solutions for critically important programs that included significant telecommunications and software content that have shaped the trajectory of the IT industry.

Grady spent 30 years of professional experience at TRW, Inc. He started as a member of the technical staff and took on multiple roles with increasing levels of responsibility which culminated as Vice President and Deputy General Manager of TRW's System and Information Technology Group. In 1988, Grady received the Black Engineer of the Year Award in the Professional Achievement category. This national awards program was sponsored by the Council of Engineering Deans of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

After leaving TRW, Grady became President of Computer Sciences (CSC) Telecommunications Division which CSC later acquired from DynCorp Corporation. For the past several years, Grady has been an independent consultant, in interim CEO and COO roles, providing strategy development.

Throughout his career, Grady embraced the ever-changing landscape of technology, adapting to new challenges and always seeking to learn and improve. He was a mentor to many, inspiring a new generation of systems engineers and other IT professionals, including his own daughter Gracie.

Beyond his professional life, Grady embraced patience, endurance and held an unwavering faith in God. He loved the church, and over the years, he served as a trustee and often shared his love and warmth of our savior, Jesus Christ, with others who surrounded him. He was an absolute warrior, enduring much with so little complaint as he chose to trust in God's faithfulness.

Grady was a loving family member, a dedicated husband, and a proud father and uncle who always put family first. He enjoyed swimming, traveling, golfing, attending the Commanders regular season football games with Gracie (despite being a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan), and grilling on his Big Green Egg. More importantly, Grady cherished hosting family and friend gatherings where he was able to just spend fun time with friends and those he loved. Grady truly knew that it was more blessed to give than to receive. His generosity knew no bounds.

Grady was preceded in death by his father, Alonzo Wright; mother, Annie Wright; sons, Geoffrey and Gary Wright; brothers, Herbert, John, Darnell, and Lonzo Wright; sisters, Dorothy Brown and Lillie Hunter; and stepsister, Mary Gillespie.

Grady leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Barbara Wright of Haymarket, VA; son Gerald Wright (Christina) of Keota, Oklahoma; daughter Gracie Wright of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren Kayelah Garcia (Ivan) of Stafford, Virginia and Grant Murray; great-granddaughter Pria Garcia of Stafford, Virginia; sister Barbara Hawkins (Clarence) of Bastrop, Louisiana; stepsister Louise Herron of Flint, Michigan; brother Larry Wright (Jacqueline) of Monroe, Louisiana; in-laws Frederick Williams, Jr. (Tolya) of Accokeek, Maryland and Maria Williams of Kissimmee, Florida; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues.

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