Tyree A. Gryder Jr.

Tyree A. Gryder, Jr., (“Junior”), 87, of Stafford, VA, entered eternal rest on September 16, 2024. Born in Charlottesville, VA, on December 21, 1936, he was the beloved son of the late Tyree A. and Mary Elizabeth Gryder. Junior spent his childhood in Fairfax Station, VA, moving throughout Northern Virginia before settling in Stafford, VA, in 1989. Junior attended George Washington High School in Alexandria. After high school, he joined the family restaurant business on South Patrick Street in Old Town Alexandria while he attended trade school. He later became a machinist and a member of the International Association of Machinists. Junior worked with his father at Central Armature Works, Inc. of Washington, DC, until his retirement in 2000. From a young age, Junior enjoyed sports. His first love was baseball. Junior was an outstanding baseball catcher and later a fast-pitch pitcher. He was referred to as “Dimples” Gryder in the local newspapers. Junior was the starting catcher for his Alexandria baseball team in the 1948 National Little League Tournament (now the Little League World Series) in Williamsport, PA. Many thought he would go on to play professional baseball, but his passion turned to cars, where he excelled racing his prized 1954 Ford named Cheetah on tracks from Manassas, VA, to Elizabeth City, NC. Junior was also a member of the Accelerators, a local and well-known Alexandria racing club. Junior was previously married to Doris M. Gryder, and to their union two daughters were born. To mourn his passing, Junior leaves behind his wife of 46 years Barbara Joan “BJ” Gryder, two dedicated and doting daughters Vicki L. Krause of Centreville, VA, and Sherry L. Gryder (Robyn) of Hollywood, FL, most cherished grandson William “Billy” Krause, Jr. (Natalia) of Centreville, VA, and his brother Wayne Gryder (Joy) of Fenwick Island, DE. Junior is preceded in death by his father, Tyree A. Gryder, Sr., mother, Mary Elizabeth Gryder, former wife Doris M. Gryder, son-in-law William M. Krause, Sr., and nephew Jimmy Gryder. In remembrance of how Junior touched each of our lives, the family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, you please consider expressions of sympathy in Junior’s memory to the Special Olympics. A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Jefferson Funeral Chapel 5755 Castlewellan Drive in Alexandria, VA 22315. Inurnment will be private.

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Tyree A. Gryder Jr.

December 21, 1936 - September 16, 2024