Albert Lee Grayson, Sr

Albert Lee Grayson, Sr. arrived on this side of heaven on April 18, 1930, to his loving parents Willie James and Dorris Ellis Grayson, in Kansas City, Kansas. When he was born, Albert was also welcomed by siblings Dorothy Mae, Betty Jane and James Edward. Two years after Albert was born, Willie and Dorris welcomed their last child, and Albert’s youngest sister, Bobbie Jean.

Having been born in the 1930’s, Albert experienced the many challenges of growing up in a segregated world, but he always met every challenge with his gentle spirit. Growing up, he had several friends, but his closest and best friend was Charles Kelly. They were quite the pair, had fun wherever they went, and were known to pull pranks in the neighborhood or be found sledding down the hilly street, somehow avoiding oncoming cars as they skidded around corners! He’d tell stories of the trains going by and the “coal man” throwing coal down off the train to the people so they could have free coal to heat their homes.

Albert’s educational achievements include his graduation from Sumner High School, Kansas City, Kansas in 1948 where he received numerous accolades from his teachers. This was followed by his attendance at the University of Kansas where he graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. While at KU, he became a very proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was a lifelong Jayhawks fan and would always make sure the family visited campus every time we were in Lawrence.

While at KU, Albert met the woman who became the love of his life – his Anna Marie. They dated and then shortly after his graduation, Albert entered active service with the United States Army and was then stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. It was there that he successfully completed Leadership Training in March 1952, and subsequently became one of the first black candidates at The Engineer Officers Candidate School from May to October 1952.

Immediately following his graduation from Officers Candidate School, he proposed marriage to Anna Marie, and the two were married on November 23, 1952, in Lawrence, Kansas. They lived in Lawrence together where they welcomed their first of five children, Bettina, in 1954. Albert was hired as an Engineer by Westinghouse Corporation, along with his best friend Charles, which is how the move to California began. Albert and Anna Marie bought their first California home in Sunnyvale, and subsequently welcomed 3 additional children, Albert, Jr., Melinda, and William. In 1961 Albert moved his family to Cupertino, where they welcomed their final child, Andrea. In 1976 they moved to San Jose where they stayed until moving to Stockton in 2001.

At Westinghouse Albert oversaw the team responsible for designing the Trident nuclear missile casings for submarines. He retired after over 30 years with the company, after which Albert stayed busy and involved in the community tutoring high school math students, being the Editor for the Reserve Officers Association Newsletter, Chapter 63, and always kept busy in his most favorite job – that of being a Grandpa and traveling the world with his Anna Marie, capturing every moment on his camera.

The Lord blessed Albert to live 93 years on this side of heaven. He is now at rest and was greeted by his wife Anna Marie, who preceded him in death in 2012, as well as his parents, Willie and Dorris Grayson, his sisters Betty Jean Turner and Dorothy Mae Brown, as well as his brother James Edward Grayson, and Baby Grayson. Left to carry on his legacy are his sister, Bobbie Jean Saulet; his children, Bettina Jones, Albert Grayson, Jr. (Catherine), Melinda Griffith (Gary), William, and Andrea; grandchildren Rashaan Yarber, Lydell Yarber, Marquis Yarber, Adrianna Griffith, Erin Grayson, Shanell Grayson; great-grandchildren Jared Yarber, Nathaniel Yarber, Andrew (Yarber) Noland, Elijah Yarber, Kaliah Yarber, Kimani Yarber, and Tenaji Yarber, and Ja’Colby Grayson. The larger extended family left to remember his love and legacy include numerous beloved nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Funeral Services for Albert Lee Grayson Sr., 93, Stockton, CA, will be 11 am, Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial with Military Honors will take place at 11 am, Monday, August 21, 2023, at Leavenworth National Cemetery.