He Was A Good Man And A Friend
Posted: August 19, 2019 Filed under: People I Met 11 Comments
At the time of this writing, it’s been 3 weeks since he’s been gone, yet no news media has mentioned the tragic collision that ended his life. Some bystanders at the accident who did not know him surmised from his appearance that he was homeless, and some even presumed that he was drunk or under the influence of drugs, or that he did not look carefully before stepping off the curb into the street. None of this is true, except for his lack of a permanent dwelling place.
His name was Grady Steven Scott, and while he was without a home, he was not an irresponsible drunkard, or a drug addict. He was a son, a brother, an uncle, a bighearted man, and a good friend to anyone who would take the time to know him. In the years that I have been visiting homeless people near the intersection of Shadeland and 21st Street in Indianapolis, he has been polite, always greeting me with a big smile, asking me how I was doing, and was genuinely concerned for my well being and safety in that area. He showed deep gratitude for the things my friends and I do for the homeless. He took very little from us, often saying, “Thank you, but I’ve got all I need; better give it to someone else who needs it more than me.” He was the kind of man who would gladly give the shirt off his back to another that he deemed needed it more. Even in death, he donated his liver to save someone’s life.
While he struggled with mental illness (bipolar disorder), he always gave his best at any temporary work he could find. On July 29th, 2019, the day that he was hit by a speeding vehicle, he was as sober as anyone could be. He spent many hours fixing an ice machine at the Exxon gas station convenience store. He impressed the manager so much that he was offered a part-time job. He then said to Jill, another employee there, “Today’s my lucky day!” His hard work to find stable employment and get out of homelessness finally came to fruition. He bid Jill good-bye and was crossing the street to run an errand, intending to return to the store later that evening to help Jill with the closing of the store. But he never returned because, after carefully looking for oncoming cars (as he habitually did), when he stepped off the curb, according to eyewitness account, a speeding car “came out of nowhere” and hit him so hard that he “flew” to hit another car. In that one instant, by the action of a careless driver, Grady’s life ended, just when he was about to taste the fruit of his discipline and get out of homelessness.
To the media, he wasn’t newsworthy, but to me, he was a good man and a friend I will miss very much.
Faces Of The Homeless 
Sophie that was spot on, grady would of loved your kind words. He is missed at our store greatly!!! It will never be the same, God broke the mold when he made Grady!!
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Indeed! I will be sad every time I go to that area, knowing that I will not see Grady’s smile or hear his voice again till I see him in heaven.
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Thanx for sharing this… for caring.
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Thank you for your encouragement and support.
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Thank you for the kind words about my uncle. While I did not know him that well, only having met him twice. I was glad to be able to get to know him through the community of people that he interacted with in his day to day life. It saddens my heart knowing that I was not a part of that group in his life. I learned a great deal about him, but the most profound was that even though he was homeless and had little to his name in the way of the material world, he was among the richest in the love and support of those around him, and it was a richness that he shared, gladly.
In fact it reminds me of a few lines from a Metallica song called “Wherever I May Roam”
“Only knowledge will I save”
He was a smart man, he could fix anything, and knew many trades.
“I adapt to the unknown, under wandering stars I’ve grown”
I learned that he moved through the community like a liquid, fitting in and filling gaps becoming family to those around him.
“The less I have the more I gain, off the beaten path I reign”
He kept only what he needed to survive and maintain a sense of self, and seemed determine to forge his own path through life.
This song was always a favorite of mine, but now hold a deeper meaning for me, it has become truly special.
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Thank you for your comment. What a beautiful tribute to your Uncle Grady!
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As an old metal head, I remember that song too. Good quote.
As a Bible student, I remember James 2:5. Also fitting here – and it’s a quote from God.
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I was so glad that Grady was able to give oven after he passed. He was able to give his liver to save another life. So sadly even though his life was taken too so he was still able to give. Witch was his way in life. Never taking to just take always thinking of others to make sure they had what they needed. We love you Grady and you will be missed by meany..
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That’s Grady, always thinking of others. He would be pleased to know his liver has been used to save a life.
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Connie, I forgot to write about his liver donation. I’ll add it now. Thanks for reminding me.
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Grady was a friend and family to all know him in the neighborhood of 21st and Arlington he will always be our brother from another mother 😇 he will be greatly missed 💔
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