Charles Hazel McGrady
Chuck McGrady, 78, Buffalo Center passed away peacefully at his home with his loving family by his side Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. Funeral services will be held Monday, Nov. 16, at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Buffalo Center, with Rev. Mark Neumann officiating. A private family burial will take place at a later date. Visitation will be Sunday, Nov. 15m from 3-6 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and continue one hour before the service. COVID guidelines will be followed. Those that are unable to attend are invited to leave condolences and view a livestream of the service on the website www.pattonfh.com.
Charles Hazel McGrady was born June 25, 1942, in Mason City. He attended school in Clear Lake, and Roseburg, Ore.
He entered the United States Navy in 1960, where he served on the USS St. Paul, which was ported in Yokuska, Japan. Chuck visited many countries and seaports during his time of service.
While serving he earned his GED, and later in life was honored by the Clear Lake School Board and awarded a high school diploma.
After his time in the service Chuck went on to California, where he worked many different jobs, even a crop duster pilot. He eventually headed back to the Midwest, where he went to work painting bridges and water towers. Chuck’s love of painting took him to Rochester Minn., in the late 70s, where he embarked on a life-long journey of success with McGrady Painting. Upon his diagnosis he was grateful to “pass the brush” onto his daughter, Kelsey.
Chuck was united in marriage to Jennifer Burnside, Feb. 25, 1983, in Detroit Lakes, Minn., where they began their family. They moved to Houston, Texas, where they lived for five years. Their desire to be closer to family took them to northern Iowa. They called Lake Mills home for 27 years, before moving to Buffalo Center.
Chuck was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where he loved attending services. Along with his faith life, he was involved in Pheasants Forever, Lions Club, many coaching and parent activities, an AA member and mentor, several community organizations, and most recently was proud to be a driver for the Buffalo Center Volunteer Ambulance Crew.
Chuck enjoyed golfing, always said “you have to work hard if you want to play hard,” and loved golfing trips with his brother and brothers-in-law, hunting, fishing, playing chess, and watching his beloved team on TV—Go Hawkeyes. He spent his life supporting school athletics, as well as community events. He loved going on yearly trips with Jen to some amazing destinations. His greatest joy was found in spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Left to cherish such wonderful memories are his wife, Jennifer; daughters: Kelsey (Jesse) Bosma, Jodie Graupmann, and Katherine McGrady; siblings: Michael (Rosan) McGrady, James (Jackie) McGrady, Jamie (Pat) Rowen, Margaret (Tom) McGrady-Adams, and Mary (Paul) Skoglund; grandchildren: Anjel, Brian, Charlie, Kaiden, Gabby, Wyatt, Steven, Anthony, Mathew and Alex; and his mother-in-law, Marianne Burnside; as well as many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Chuck, Jr.; daughter, Flower; grandson, Titus; granddaughter, Megan; sister, Loma; stepbrother, Butch; father-in-law, Clarence; and brother-in-law, Alec Burnside.
