Norm Grayson

Norm Grayson, 91, husband of Faye Grayson, died Sunday, January 13, 2019, after suffering a fall. Born in North Carolina, he attended North Carolina State University before joining the United States Navy as a cook. He retired as an Officer of the United States Naval Supply Corp. after serving 22 years of active duty during World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars.  His military career was highlighted with duty stations in San Diego and Long Beach, California, and Seattle, Washington. He also served as the Supply Officer on ice breakers, destroyers and submarines in both Arctic circles, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Korea, and the Philippines.

Norm and his family were stationed at the Navy Supply Corp School of Athens, Georgia and upon his military retirement, he joined Evans & Mitchell before opening Grayson Realty, Inc. in 1967.  Mr. Grayson served as a Boy Scout Master, held district offices in the organization, and served on the Northeast Georgia Board of Directors of Boy Scouts of America. He and his wife also hosted local Girl Scouts camp at their Oconee County residence for many years.

His efforts brought about the Georgia Square Mall, Highway 316, the Oconee County Connector, the Barber Creek Fire Station and many other developments in Oconee County.  He built Debonaire Villa and Chamberlin neighborhoods in Athens and several others in and around the Athens-Oconee area. He served as Chairman of the Oconee Tax Equalization Board and the Oconee County Library Board and Building Fund. In 1972, Mr. Grayson was President of The Oconee Enterprise. He was part of a group of citizens who purchased the newspaper and brought it back to Watkinsville following years of absentee ownership.

He was a member of the National Home Builders Association; the National Association of Realtors where he was very active in the Political Affairs Committee; and a life member of the Million Dollar Club of the Athens Area Association of Realtors. In 2014 he was inducted into the Realtors Hall of Fame for the State of Georgia. He was an enthusiastic member of the Women’s Council of Realtors of Athens and the Touchdown Club of Athens. He served as President of the Athens Board of Realtors and the Athens Home Builders Association. He and Mrs. Grayson founded Kel-Mac saddle club and he was an active member of the Clarke-Oconee Cattlemen’s Association.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Athens, and a founding member of Oconee Presbyterian in Watkinsville.  Survivors in addition to his “Sweetheart” Faye, include their children Ric, Debi, and Dennise; three grandchildren; two great grandchildren; his brother Bill Grayson; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Athens Area Association of Realtors Relief Fund, 1720 Meriweather Drive, Watkinsville, Georgia 30677.