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Remembering
Grayson Everet Harding
Grayson Harding passed away peacefully in his home on October 16,
2001 from a pulmonary embolism, a possible complication from
advanced bone cancer. Grayson was born on September 24, 1937
and raised in Arlington, VA., graduating in 1955 from Washington-Lee
High School. This was also the year that Grayson started
actively caving in Virginia and West Virginia with a group of
friends, joining the DC Grotto and the NSS.
Several years later Grayson helped found the Potomac
Speleological Club (PSC #6) and served as an officer in the early
years of the club. He also ran the PSC store and equipment
loan for a number of years. In 1985, Grayson was awarded a
life membership in the PSC for his contributions.
Grayson broke from caving for several years when he moved to New
York City to try his hand at acting. His roommates were Dustin
Hoffman and Peter Fonda. To Grayson's everlasting delight,
Jane Fonda occasionally came to visit her brother. Grayson
received parts in several shows, including the Jackie Gleason Show,
but never a major part. To support himself he took a part-time
job at the Bronx Zoo, which later became full time. After a
year of working at the zoo full time, he returned to northern
Virginia to work at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. His
love of animals showed not only in his work but also in his support
of various conservation groups. Towards the end of his career,
Grayson participated in a six month zoo exchange program with the
Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, Australia. At the time of
his retirement, Grayson was the head of the Central Mammal Unit.
When Grayson returned to northern Virginia, he again picked up
caving, and remained active for a number of years. He joined
the Baltimore Grotto and later the FUN (Fairfax Underground Network)
Grotto. Even when his caving slowed down he continued to be
part of the caving community through work and attending
events. For over forty years, Grayson never missed an OTR, and
seldom missed NSS Conventions. His kind nature and willingness
to listen brought him many friends. He avoided the limelight
and worked hard behind the scenes, serving on the OTR work crew,
setting up chairs at Convention, or helping out at
registration. In September, 2000, Grayson was awarded an OTR
Fellowship.
Grayson's favorite hobby was hunting treasures at yard sales and
flea markets and he founded the annual yard sale at OTR. He
was also a long-time member of Mensa and continued to participate in
the National Zookeeper's Association convention even after
retirement.
Grayson was truly a good-hearted person. His love of and
passion for caves, yard sales and animals was probably only exceeded
by his desire to be helpful. His enjoyment of people is best
expressed by his polished shone paperweight which reads simply:
"Let people be different. grayson". His
passing will leave a void not only in our lives but at OTRs and
Conventions. Every person has a life story. We mourn
Grayson, a true friend whose life story ended far too soon.
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