Grady Hart Gaskill

Published 12:04 pm Wednesday, June 26, 2024

September 18, 1928 – June 18, 2024

Grandy, NC – Grady Hart Gaskill of Grandy, NC, passed on to his home in Heaven on June 18, 2024. The son of James Thomas Gaskill and Laura Davis Gaskill, he was born on September 18, 1928, in Wanchese, NC. He was predeceased by siblings James Lee Gaskill, Tena Sawyer, and Carolyn Basnight, and is survived by one sister, Linda Mann of Wanchese, whom he dearly loved. He is also survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Amanda Ruff Gaskill; loving children: Bridgett Andresen (Andy), Kyle (Karen), Paul (Janel), Chris (Christine), James (Sarah), and Valerie Wright; eleven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom he was very proud.

Following graduation from Manteo High School in 1945 and one year at East Carolina Teachers College (now East Carolina University), Grady joined the Coast Guard, where he became a hospital corpsman. After proudly serving for three years, he returned to East Carolina, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and later a sixth-year Advanced degree in School Administration. He was a lifelong fan of the East Carolina Pirates!

Of all his years in the field of education, he particularly enjoyed his many years as principal at Manteo Elementary School, where he proudly watched generations of students from Roanoke Island and mainland Dare County as they progressed from kindergarten through graduation.

Many will remember Grady Gaskill for his participation in the Senior Games, where he competed not only locally, but also at the state and national level, winning many awards. His proudest athletic achievement was winning the gold medal for his age group in the triathlon event in the National Senior Games held in the San Francisco area in 2009. Participating in 13 of the first 14 National Senior Games, held every two years in various parts of the country, provided Grady with many enjoyable travels around the country. In addition to Senior Games, he also enjoyed competing in other road races, marathons, and triathlons.

Although not physically able to attend in recent years, Grady was a life-long member of Bethany United Methodist Church, now Bethany Church of Wanchese. The funeral was held at Bethany on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 11 a.m. The family received visitors at Twiford Colony Chapel in Manteo on Monday evening from 5-7 p.m. A private burial took place at Cudworth Cemetery in Wanchese.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bethany Church of Wanchese or Outer Banks Senior Games at the Baum Center in Kill Devil Hills.

Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.

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