In Loving Memory of Grady D. Jones Sr.

September 17, 1940 – October 6, 2026

Devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather

Grady D. Jones Sr., age 86, passed away on October 6, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of cherished memories, remarkable accomplishments, and a legacy of love, faith, music, and adventure.

Above all else, Grady was a devoted family man. He shared his life with his beloved wife, Carol. Together, they built a loving family and a lifetime of memories. His love for his family was unwavering, and the example he set through his kindness, dedication, and generosity will continue to inspire those he leaves behind.

Grady had an adventurous spirit and an endless enthusiasm for life. An avid traveler, bicyclist, and outdoorsman, he found great joy in exploring the world around him. Whether riding his bicycle along local roads or participating in organized cycling events such as the DALMAC ride from Lansing to Mackinaw City, Grady was happiest when he was on the move. Throughout his life, he would ride his bicycle anywhere and whenever the opportunity arose.

His adventures took him far beyond Michigan. He explored the Appalachian Mountains and traveled to extraordinary destinations, including Alaska, Australia, Africa, and Ireland. His love of adventure also extended beneath the ocean’s surface, where he enjoyed scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, Belize, and St. John. An accomplished recreational athlete, Grady also participated in numerous running road races, embracing each new challenge with determination and enthusiasm.

Grady enjoyed a distinguished career as a Development Engineer with General Motors, where his intelligence, creativity, and innovative thinking earned him recognition and patent awards for his work in fuel system development. His natural curiosity and remarkable ability to understand how things worked were evident in everything he pursued.

One of Grady’s greatest passions was music, particularly bluegrass. In September 1981, he became a founding member and the first president of the Michigan Bluegrass Music Association. His dedication to preserving and promoting bluegrass music helped bring together musicians and enthusiasts who shared his appreciation for this uniquely American musical tradition.

Grady was also an exceptionally talented luthier, a craftsman who builds stringed musical instruments. With patience, precision, and extraordinary skill, he handcrafted beautiful guitars, mandolins, and violins. Although many of his instruments were sold and found homes with musicians who appreciated their quality, Grady never built them simply for financial gain. He built them because he genuinely loved the art of creating something beautiful with his own hands.

Perhaps even more remarkable than his craftsmanship was his willingness to share it. Grady believed that knowledge and skills were meant to be passed along. Anyone who showed a sincere interest in learning the craft would find in him a patient and generous teacher, always willing to share what he knew. Through the instruments he created and the people he inspired, his musical legacy will continue for generations.

Faith was another cornerstone of Grady’s life. He was actively involved in his church communities, including Richfield Road Brethren Church, where he generously volunteered his time and talents. He supported the church food pantry, taught Sunday school, and participated in the church choir, sharing his musical abilities on rhythm guitar and bass guitar. He also enjoyed men’s choir performances and Christmas programs, bringing music, fellowship, and joy to those around him.

Grady’s faith was reflected not only in his words but also in his actions. His desire to serve others led him to participate in missionary work in Honduras, where he helped construct schools and churches using traditional hand tools rather than power equipment. These experiences demonstrated his strong work ethic, resourcefulness, generosity, and willingness to help wherever he was needed.

Throughout his life, Grady wore many hats: devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather and great-grandfather, engineer, musician, craftsman, athlete, adventurer, teacher, and man of faith. Yet those who knew him will remember him most for the person he was and the countless ways he enriched the lives of others.

Grady is survived by his beloved wife Carol Jones; his sons, Don Jones and wife Taffy, Jeff Jones and wife Michelle; his brother, Bob Jones and wife Linda; and his three grandchildren, Andrew Jones, Lacey Jordan and husband Jesse, and Samantha Kremble-Jones; and his two great-grandchildren, Holden Jordan and Mavrik Jordan.

He was preceded in death by his father, James ; his mother, Geneva ; his brother, James;and his sisters, Betty and Hope.

His song may have ended, but his melody will play forever in the hearts of those who loved him.