Mr. Harold Wesley Grace Jr.

Harold Wesley Grace, Jr. ("Butch"), Captain, U.S. Army (Ret.), passed away on September 13, 2025, in Adrian, Georgia. Born September 2, 1938, in Woodbury, New Jersey, he was the son of Harold Wesley Grace, Sr. and Marion Grace. He was a 1957 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, NJ. Harold proudly served his country as an Engineer Officer in the United States Army, with distinguished tours of duty in France, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. After nine years of service as an enlisted Soldier, he was commissioned through the Engineer Officer Candidate School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, in 1966. He continued his career until 1973, retiring at the rank of Captain. He received numerous commendations, including the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. Among his proudest achievements was contributing to the engineering efforts for the construction of the USS Kitty Hawk. After his honorable military service, Harold relocated to Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he began a second career and became a beloved member of the community. He worked for 25 years as maintenance manager at Short Stop Food Mart and partnered at Loafing Artist Studio, where he expressed his creativity in many forms. His artwork - displayed on canvas, seashells, jewelry, and more - earned recognition across the region and was honored by the Fayetteville Art Council. His creativity and indomitable spirit will continue to live on through his art. Never one to sit idle, Harold also served for 20 years as treasurer of the Cape Fear Coin Club and volunteered for many years at Cape Fear Hospital, where he and his late wife, Elizabeth (Betty) L. Grace, gave generously of their time. A passionate gardener, he served as president of his local garden club, leading community projects and events. Harold loved traveling and spent many vacations cruising to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska, often joined by his dear friends Frank, Jeanni, Tom, and Dee. Known fondly as "Hay Street Harold," he was a fixture at his favorite Fayetteville spots - Rude Awakening Coffee Shop and Piero's - and could often be found each morning at Hardee's on Hope Mills Road, sharing coffee with his buddies. Later in life, Harold moved to Georgia to be closer to family. He was a lifelong animal lover and strong supporter of rescue organizations, especially Echo Dog White Shepherd Rescue, a cause close to his heart.