Grady Johnson Sr.

He was born to Robert Johnson and Mildred Turner in Bonita Springs, Florida in 1951 and was a lifelong Florida resident.

He career began at the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at the age of 18 and rose through the ranks until leaving there to work for the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office as Deputy Chief. During his time at the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, he led the water patrol where his beat was the entire 10,000 islands, he also became a member of a U.S. Customs task force whose purpose was drug interdiction, and he also became the first authorized airboat patrol encompassing Tribal Lands within the Everglades. While at Hendry County he organized a mounted patrol that expanded to include a youth group.

Grady retired from Law Enforcement after 30 years to become a cattle rancher in Hardee County. While there, he was elected to the Hardee County Commission as Commissioner, working alongside various state and federal agencies.

He was survived by his wife of 35 years, Patty, and his sons and step-sons Grady, Jr. (Tina), Andrew Smith (Kristine), and Patrick Gibson (Edith) as well as many grand and great-grandchildren. Family was the most important thing in his life and he loved his family dearly.

A visitation for Grady will be held Friday, October 18, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens, 525 111th Ave N, Naples, FL 34108, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow in Naples Memorial Gardens.