Grady Vaughn Calvert, 88, departed this life on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012.  The funeral was Friday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. at Godfrey United Methodist Church with Rev. Bill Kitchen officiating.  Pallbearers were Marc Medford, Daniel Harwell, Jason Harwell, Ray Harwell, Todd Calvert, Tommy Lawrence, Heck Davis and Aubrey Moon.

He was a native of Polk County, NC, was the fourth of eight children born to Vaughn Henry and Zoar Ridings Calvert.  He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  Growing up during the Great Depression, he helped on the family farm, logged and operated a saw mill with his father, and drove a school bus (actually hired before he was 16 years old).  He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, receiving the Purple Heart for severe injuries sustained from a Japanese Kamikaze attack in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, the Philippines.  After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy for medical reasons, Grady married Sara Louise Flynn on Dec. 21, 1945.

Prior to going to college, he built houses with his father-in-law.  He attended Western Carolina University and received his degree in Animal Husbandry and Agronomy from the University of Georgia in 1952, graduating Phi Beta Kappa.  His first job after college was Ranch Manager of Windsweep Farms, Thomaston, leaving there to spend the rest of his life in Putnam County.
Mr. Calvert retired as Superintendent of the Central Georgia Branch Station-UGA with over 32 years of service.  He was a tenured Associate Professor in the College of Agriculture at the University of Georgia, where he co-authored many research papers.  He was sought out for his expertise with forages and cattle.

Until his later years, He was active in the community, serving as president of the Eatonton Kiwanis Club and a director of Farm Bureau.  At the time of his death, he served as a supervisor for the Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District and was recognized in 2007 as Putnam County Conservationist of the Year.

A life-long Methodist, he was very involved with the Godfrey United Methodist Church, serving as trustee and a member for 57 years.  He helped rebuild the church after the original building burned in the mid 1950’s.  Mr. Calvert was an avid fisherman, hunter, observer of nature, and talented woodcraftsman.

Mr. Calvert was known for his practical mind and subtle wit.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sara Flynn Calvert; his children:  Jean Britt (Grady) of Raleigh, NC, Rebecca Markwalter (Robie) of Macon, Vaughn Calvert (Donna) of Eatonton, Mary Lynn Harwell (Ray) of Madison, David Calvert of Eatonton, his grandchildren:  Marc Medford (Jill), Alice Medford Hancock (Stephen), John Grady Calvert, Laura Calvert Cropp (Andrew), Daniel Harwell, Jason Harwell (Jana), Katie Harwell Porter (Andy), Kaley Calvert, Sarah Calvert, and Leslie Calvert; 13 great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are his sister, Lillian Calvert and his brother, Dupree Calvert (Ruth) of Forest City, NC, and many nieces and nephews.  Pre-deceasing him are his parents, Vaughn Henry and Zoar Ridings Calvert, brothers, Jennings and Winford Calvert, and sisters, Ethel Calvert Green, Loree Calvert Spurlin, and Pauline Calvert Jenks.  Vining Ivy Hill Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.

Printed in the December 20, 2012 edition