James M. O’Grady

Rev. O’Grady died Tuesday, June 4, 2002, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He had lived in Lawrence since January 1985.

He was born July 3, 1919, in Kansas City, Kan., the son of James A. and Agnes (McGraw) O’Grady. He was a graduate of Ward High School, Kansas City, Kan., and attended St. John’s Seminary, Kansas City, Mo., St. Louis (Mo.) Preparatory Seminary, and Kenrick Seminary, St. Louis. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on June 3, 1950.

He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He received the Defense Medal, Korean Defense Medal and the United Nations Medal on May 18, 1953.

Rev. O’Grady served at the following churches: assistant, Holy Name Church, Topeka, 1950-1953; chaplain, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., 1953-54; chaplain, Tsuiki and Miho Air Force bases, Japan, 1954-1955; chaplain, Kimpo Air Force Base, Korea, 1955; chaplain, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., for the 3919 PH Combat Support Group, September 1955; assistant pastor, Holy Name, July 1961; pastor, Onaga, Blaine and Wheaton, December 1978; associate chaplain, Providence Health Center, 1981; part-time associate pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Lawrence, 1984; and associate pastor, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Lawrence, and weekends at St. Paul Catholic Church, Olathe, 1986. In 1987, he did pastoral visiting and weekend help. In 1989, he retired but continued on weekends at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Kansas City, Kan.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and had been active in the special ministry at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He also visited shut-ins and residents in long-term care centers.

Survivors include cousins.

A parish wake service will be at 7 p.m. today at Corpus Christ Catholic Church, Lawrence.

The family suggests memorials to Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kan., sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

Online condolences may be sent to info@warrenmcelwain.com, subject: O’Grady.