GRADY PASSED AWAY ON FRI,15 2005
AFTER FIGHTING A COURAGEOUS BATTLE WITH BRAIN
CANCER.ALL OF US WHO KNEW HIM ENJOYED EACH TIME
WE HAD A CHANCE TO SIT AROUND THE CAMP FIRE AND HEAR GRADY TELL HIS JOKES AND STORIES.HE HAS BEEN A INSPIRATION TO ME AND MY FAMILY AND TO ALL THE FRIENDS HE HAD IN THE STRA AND CTC
CLUBS. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY
GOD BLESS

Grady had a nice funeral today & military burial at the national veteran's cemetary in Chattanooga.

He is somewhere exploring new trails for the rest of us and as usual, waiting for us to catch up.

Godspeed Grady.

Greetins all,
I guess I have not been paying enough attention lately. I checked out the board several times since April 15, but just now caught the notice of Grady's death. I knew the day would come, and had been planning to attend his funeral. I am very sorry to have missed it.
This is a good time to say what the STRA and its members mean to me. I have known a lot of you for almost 10 years. Members seem to come and go depending on how much physical and psychological abuse one can endure. Some of you I know well, some I only know by name or face, and some I am still getting to know. I want to say that some of the best memories of my life have been formed at STRA events and gatherings. So even though some of you are not close personal friends, you have still played an important part in my life. And those of you who are good friends, well, what can I say?
Take a minute at each event to get to know someone better. Give someone a compliment. Most of all, appreciate your STRA family because that is exactly what we are.

-Ron

First off, may God comfort not only Grady's family and loved ones, but all those in our "family" that are being challenged by life's trials. Also, I will say that if you are interested, ask me sometime how I manage to get through tough times, I will be happy to share that with you.

As to Ron's response, I too am grateful to this STRA extended family. This group of people is far from the typical club membership, this is one of the few family oriented clubs that are operating in any form of competitive motorsports. I too know some members better than others, and will do my best to take time to get to know more of you this season.

Ron, I thank you for your leadership, and your presence at the events, and your calm, deliberate style. I also thank the collective leadership of the STRA for the freedom extended to me to persue my personal calling, and to the membership for either your support, or your tolerence.

I'm proud of our club, and our people, and how we conduct ourselves, and I feel blessed to be a part of y'all.

HI Folks:

It has been some time since I have posted on this forum! I never knew Grady, but my prayers go this family and friends! I was also very touched by Ron Milam's post. As a former STRA member, Ilike to watch this board to see what is going on with Y'all.

My experience with the STRA was extraordinary! Although being a foreinger, I was always treatedlike family wherever I went! It has left a life-long impression on me! I will always be eternally grateful for that.

I also lost a close friend and supporter years ago to cancer! He was my very first sponsor and was prominent in me having the opportunity to winning my first two National titles! I have put on a event in his name ever since that time! WE contribute a major amount to cancer research every year in his name to try and help with this terrible disease!
God Bless everyone out there who has been touched by this!

Cheers, Steve