Dr. Grayson was the Class of 1938 Professor of Government Emeritus at the College of William & Mary, and had made more than 200 research trips to Latin America. In addition, he was a senior associate at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, an associate scholar at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, a board member at the Center for Immigration Studies, and a life member of the NAACP.
Dr. Grayson lectured regularly at the U.S. Department of State, the National Defense University, U.S. intelligence agencies, and at universities in the United States and Mexico. He had served as an official observer at six Mexican presidential and gubernatorial elections, belonged to Phi Beta Kappa, and has authored numerous books and articles.
He held degrees from the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill (BA); The Johns Hopkins University Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (M.A.; Ph.D.); and the Marshall-Wythe School of Law (J.D.). He had also written op-ed pieces for virtually every major newspaper in the United States. In his spare time, he greatly enjoyed tennis.
Dr. Grayson is survived by his loving wife, Bryan H. Grayson; son, Thomas Keller Grayson; daughter, Gisele Grayson (Jon Hamilton); stepdaughters, Emily Upchurch (Tim) and Rebecca Owen (Joshua); grandchildren, Jake and Will Hamilton, Grady and Liza Upchurch, and Maggie and Ruth Owen; aunt, Margaret G. Saunders of Warrenton, VA; and mother-in-law, Mary B. Holt of Wrightsville Beach, NC. His parents, George W. Grayson Sr. and Catherine Hart Grayson, preceded him in death.
Friends will gather to remember Dr. Grayson on Friday, March 6 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg. The Government Department of the College of William & Mary will hold a service of remembrance during the afternoon of March 20, time and place to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heritage Humane Society, 430 Waller Mill Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.nelsencares.com.
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