A Dunwoody man died while on vacation last week at a Florida beach after he swam into a riptide to save people struggling to swim.
Kim McGrady, 55, was among two people who drowned last Thursday at Miramar Beach after roughly half a dozen people became stuck about 50 feet away from shore, according to an incident report. The Walton County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office said 21-year-old Layne Gravois of Gray, Louisiana, also died in the rip current.
McGrady, a father of two who worked at Chick-fil-A, is being hailed as a hero by his friends and colleagues. Sean Doughtie, one of McGrady’s longtime friends, said he was a Christian who didn’t hesitate to help others.
“For Kim, compassion and just enjoyment really was his asset,” Doughtie said. “He really was a bright light.”
According to an obituary page, McGrady was at the beach with his family when he heard yells coming from the ocean. McGrady was the first one to rush in and try to save as many people as he could. He managed to get three people back to shore before he couldn’t make it back.
“Kim was always one to put others before himself,” the obituary said. “Kim McGrady left this world a hero.”
The sheriff’s office said the incident happened about 4:50 p.m., adding that dozens of people tried to form a human chain to rescue the struggling swimmers, McGrady and Gravois. Their bodies were recovered by 6:30 p.m.
Doughtie met McGrady while studying at Auburn University, where they both met their wives. They were among a group of about six couples who moved to Dunwoody after graduation, and they watched each other’s kids grow up as they attended Bible studies and church retreats together.
McGrady was a coach with Murphy Candler Baseball, and the organization posted a tribute on its Facebook page after McGrady’s death. Doughtie added that both of McGrady’s children, a college-aged daughter and a son in high school, are competitive swimmers.
“They were always our swimming family friends,” he said. “They spent hours and hours at the pool.”
Doughtie wasn’t surprised McGrady was the first one to dive into the ocean. He said McGrady, who was a volunteer marriage counselor along with his wife at Buckhead Church, put on the “armor of God” to save others, referencing Ephesians.
“I think he knew he had all the tools necessary to go into that water and go after them,” Doughtie said. “Part of those tools was knowing that if he was going to lose his life doing it, God would take care of it. I think he had the upmost confidence that he had no other option.”
Chick-Fil-A provided a statement that said, “The Chick-fil-A family is heartbroken by the passing of our friend and colleague Kim McGrady. Kim left an incredible 13-year legacy at Chick-fil-A and will be remembered for his servant heart, integrity and compassion for others. We extend our deepest sympathies and sincere prayers to his family and those close to him.”
One of his coworkers created a GoFundMe page for McGrady’s wife and kids. It had raised more than $60,000 as of 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
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