Grady Oliver Sorah

Grady O. Sorah, 53 of Punta Gorda passed away May 8, 2008. Born on July 3, 1954 to Edward and Elsie Sorah. Grady was a native of Gas City, Indiana. He married his wife, Patricia at the age of 17. Grady held positions at the Marion Water Department 1972 -73, Gas City Utilities 1973-80 during which period he was superintendent for 4 years. He held advanced water treatment, basic water treatment and distribution, grade GF water treatment plant operator, grade PF water treatment plant operator, grade DS water distribution sipten operator and Indiana Section AWWA. He was an EMT for the Gas City Rescue Squad 1973-80 and also certified as a scuba diver 1976.. In 1980 he and his family moved to Florida and he was employed by General Development 1980-1991 then at Peace River/Mansota Regional Water Supply Authority 1991-2007. Grady worked very hard in his professional life. While he was with the FW&PCOA, he held many positions. At the Region 8 level, he was Secretary/Treasurer 1987, Chairman elect 1988, Chairman 1989, past Chairman 1990, Director of Region 8 1991-1995. At the state level, he was President 1998, Vice President 1997, Secretary-Treasurer Elect 1996, Short School Committee Chair 1999-2008, Region 8 Director 1990-95, Board of Directors, Florida Water Resources Conference, Inc 1998-2008, Board of Directors, Florida Water Resources Journal, Inc 1998-2008 and President of Florida Water Resources Journal, Inc 2004-2008. He served on numerous FW&PCOA state regional committees over the past 20 years and some of the positions held were Chairman of Policies and Procedures Standing Committee 1996, Chairman of the Programs and Short Course Standing Committee 1997 to 2008. Grady served on multiple FDEP operator advisory committees and also negotiated all state short school contracts for the past 10 years. His hard work and dedication resulted in many awards and citations over the years including, David B. Lee Award for Plant Operator 1992, FWPCOA Honorary Life Member 2000, FWPCOA Proclamation for his work on Short Schools and Programs 2001, Florida Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers Award 2001, Nathan Pope Stormwater Aware 2002 and FWPCOA Special Award for his dedication and support 2005. Grady accomplished many things in his career, but the greatest rewards in life came from the joy of family and friends. He will be deeply missed by all, family, friends, co-workers, associates and members of the Florida Water and Pollution Control Operators Association. Grady will be greatly missed by his wife of 36 years, Patricia; sons, Wendell Patrick (Regina) Sorah of Gainesville and William Brady (Dara) Sorah of Port Charlotte; grandchildren, Angela, Elizabeth, Kyle, Emily, Kateri, Nicholas, Logan and Micayla; father, Edward Sorah of Jonesboro, IN; brother, Warren (Carolyn) Sorah of Gas City, IN; nephew, DeWayne Sorah of Lafayette, IN; niece, Trisha Smith of Gas City, IN; great-niece, Heather Colyer of Gas City, IN; great-nephews, Tyler Colyer of Gas City, IN; great-great nephew, Dylan Oatess of Gas City, IN; several aunts, uncles and cousins in VA, TN and IN. He was preceded in death by his mother, Elsie Sorah. The family will receive friends 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Monday, May 12, 2008 with a celebration of Grady's life to follow at 4:00 pm at Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services. To express condolences to the family, please sign the online guest book.