Tony O. Crady

Tony O'Neal Crady, 85, of Leesville, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024. Born in Gillett, Arkansas, he was a son of the late Luther Crady and Najgy Loraine Adams. After graduating from Saratoga High School in Wilson, NC, he attended Barton College. His high school yearbook prophecy humorously predicted he would join the Air Force and never marry. Contrary to that prediction, he joined the Navy and traveled the world aboard the USS Pocono (CGC-16), an amphibious force command ship.

Tony was an alumnus of the University of South Carolina, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the School of Engineering and became a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). He was a member of The Radio Club of America and the National Society of Professional Engineers, Columbia Chapter. Throughout his career, he was self-employed, founding and operating A.I.E. Corp. in Batesburg, SC, for many years. Renowned as an expert in radio and light wave technology, Tony held contracts with the Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health, and various companies worldwide. He took immense pride in every product he designed and built, often saying, "My work is my hobby; I love it." Tony’s passion for his work endured until the day he went home to be with the Lord.

In his community, Tony served on the board of W. Wyman King Academy and was an active member of the Batesburg-Leesville Chamber of Commerce and the Batesburg Business Association. He was also a dedicated member of Leesville Methodist Church. A proud supporter of the Gamecock Club, he loved Gamecock football and enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, and the Kentucky Derby.

Tony is survived by his beloved wife, Marilyn Crady; children, Beth Crady-Bukauski (Ken) of Marathon, FL, Tony Crady, Jr. (Sheila) of Spartanburg, SC, Will Crady (Kristin) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and Jeremy Crady (Jennifer) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; stepchildren, Christy Repine-Gandy of Tallahassee, FL, Blake Repine (Shannon) of Premaydena, Tasmania, Australia, and Stephanie Repine-Akins (Steve) of Aberdeen, NC; also surviving are his grandchildren: Alex Alverson (Dom) of Marietta, GA, Tony Crady, III of North Charleston, SC, Najgy Crady of Spartanburg, SC, Grace Crady Ingle (Matthew) of Inman, Ellis, Elena, JB, and Luke Crady of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Liam, Brennan and Taylor Crady of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Jonathan Repine of Palatka, FL, Austin Repine of San Antonio, TX, Grant Gandy of Germany, Gregory Gandy of Tallahassee, FL, Elizabeth Repine of Killeen, TX, Zach Repine of Killeen, TX, James Repine of Premaydena, Tasmania, Australia, and Will, Luke, and Hannah Akins of Aberdeen, NC. His great-grandchildren, Kinsley Wheeler, Evelyn Webster, James Alverson, and Loren Ingle, also survive him. Additionally, Tony is survived by his siblings, Donald Crady (Mary Ellen) of Midlothian, VA, Barbara Whitley (Lester) of Conway, SC, and Wanda Mooring of Middlesex, NC, as well as numerous nieces and nephews whom he deeply loved and admired.

In addition to his parents, Tony was preceded in death by his siblings, Luther Crady, Jr., and Jerry Crady.

A Celebration of Life and Wake in Kentucky Derby style will be held for Tony at 2 PM on Saturday, January 4th, in the fellowship hall of Leesville Methodist Church. Attendees are encouraged to wear bright, vivid colors, with hats welcomed! 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the following charities dear to Tony’s heart: Dickerson Children's Advocacy Center (DickersonCAC.org/donate) or Sole-Stepping Ministry, LLC (solestepping.com). Both are 501(c)(3) organizations.