Samuel "Grady" Putnam Jr. of Long Neck, DE, passed away at the age of 88 after a brief illness on October 10, 2023. He was predeceased by his parents, Samuel Grady Putnam Sr. and Kate Sharpe Putnam, as well as his grandson TJ Wadsworth.

Grady is survived by Toni, his wife of 47 years, and his children: Lisa Putnam Chapman (John), Samuel Grady Putnam III "Putt", Marissa Putnam Wadsworth, and Doree Putnam Baker (John). He is also survived by his sister, Mary Lou Norcross of Gastonia, North Carolina, and 10 grandchildren – Ford Chapman, Jesse, Ryan, Jake, and Anna Putnam, Madison and Chase Wadsworth, Jack, Hannah, and Sam Baker, as well as three nieces, a nephew, and grandnieces and nephews.

Grady was born on December 11, 1934, in Washington DC. He attended Wilson High School in Washington DC, earned a BA at The University of North Carolina, and was a member of ZETA PSI fraternity. He later earned a master's degree from American University. During his college years, he was in the ROTC and served three years of active duty in the United States Marine Corps upon graduation.

His professional journey began with Remington Rand UNIVAC, leading to a successful career as a sales, marketing, and consulting executive in various technology firms until his retirement in 2019.

Grady was deeply engaged in the communities he lived in, actively participating in local politics, HOA boards, and the Marine Corps League Diamond State Detachment 704. For two years, he served as the league coordinator for The Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign and was named their Marine of the Year in 2022.

Grady cherished spending time with family and friends, always welcoming any occasion to celebrate. He loved boating, golfing, fishing, traveling, walking, and watching sunsets from the deck. Grady had a passion for life, teaching generations to water ski on the Chesapeake Bay and Schuylkill River. His life motto was "Work hard, play hard," and he lived it fully, radiating optimism and embracing every day as an opportunity.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 1 PM at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Rd., Millsboro, DE 19966, where friends and family may visit after 12 noon.  A private family burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in his honor to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at t2t.org, Toys for Tots of Sussex County at nassau-de.toysfortots.org, or a charity of your choice.