Grady Monroe Blaylock, age 85, of Williamsburg, VA, peacefully passed away on December 29, 2020, after a brief illness. He was born April 2, 1935, in Winston-Salem, NC, and was a Virginia Peninsula resident for most of his life.

Grady bravely served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War with duty stations in Korea, Japan, and stateside, before spending time in the reserves. His service continued as a lifetime member of the Air Force Association, a former member of the VFW Post 4991 Warwick, VA, a rated pilot and 2nd Lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol specializing in search and rescue missions.

He attended Warwick High School and Upper Iowa University where his academic accolades were lengthy. While holding a seat on The Board of Trustees at UIU, he was chosen to present the graduation commencement speech in 1998. Furthermore, his alma mater recognized him with the coveted Entrepreneur Award, a rare distinction presented to just three graduates in school history. During his lifelong pursuit of continuing education, he studied at the University of Georgia, Indiana University Management Institute, and The College of William and Mary.

As a dedicated supporter of local law enforcement, he chose to pursue his passion and enroll in the Central Police Training School and eventually served as a City of Warwick Virginia Police Officer. Upon the 1958 consolidation of Newport News and Warwick, he continued his service with the Newport News Police Department. Following his law enforcement career, he embarked on the credit reporting/accounts management service business. He served in various management positions in the credit industry for over 60 years, including Liberty Loan Corporation as a supervisor of numerous regions in Virginia and Maryland, and Rices Nachman’s Department Store as their corporate credit manager. He was the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Equidata, Inc., a national client-based credit bureau & accounts management service company headquartered in Newport News until his retirement.

He was a co-founder and former director of Peninsula Crime Line (now Virginia Peninsula Crime Stoppers) for 35 years, and in 2016 was presented with their Fred Kern Meritorious Service Award.

He supported the causes of many organizations, especially those that positively benefited the lives of others. He volunteered his time and served as President and board member of both the Peninsula Retail Merchants Association (PRMA) and the Associated Credit Bureaus (both national and statewide). As a certified Consumer Credit Executive and a Certified Credit Bureau Executive, he held a dual certification that was not only rare but highly coveted within his industry. The pinnacle of his professional career came when he was presented with the Mayoral Proclamation for his and his business’s contributions to the community over his 60-year career.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George M. and Pauline Hudson Blaylock.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years; Nancy Berryman Blaylock; two daughters, Caroline Elizabeth Cucuel (Tom), and Stephanie Dawn Grogan (Mike); five wonderful granddaughters who he dearly loved, Samantha and Heather Cucuel, Nicole, Ashlyn, and Savanna Grogan; his sisters Colleen B. Gray of Virginia Beach, Jane Haynie Meadows of Winter Haven, Florida; many nieces and nephews; and, of course, his dog Bear.

Grady was a devoted husband, father, and granddad. Family was the joy of his life, and spending time together with his children and grandchildren was always a special occasion. Known as Mr. B to many, he was a people person who cared for others, never met a stranger, and always had time to listen or share a story with new and old friends.
Funeral services will be held at Peninsula Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 6, at 2:00 p.m. Please see www.peninsulafuneralhome.com/video for live-streaming. Burial will follow the service at Peninsula Memorial Park, with full military honors. COVID restrictions will be followed, including wearing facial masks and social distancing.
Grady requested donations be made to Virginia Peninsula Crime Stoppers, Inc., PO Box 12111, Newport News, VA 23601.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.