08/12/2025
Mr. Oscar Oral Grundy, son of the late Ella Elizabeth McDaniel Grundy (a domestic worker) and Oral Abel Alexander Grundy (a mechanic), was born October 8, 1927, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Oscar attended Indianapolis Public Schools 40 and 17, graduating from Crispus Attucks High School in 1946. He was very proud of his teachers at Crispus Attucks, boasting about how they had their Masters and Doctorate degrees. Following high school, he joined the United States Army, where he was stationed at Fort Campbell in Cambridge, KY. After receiving an honorable discharge, this allowed him the opportunity to attend Indiana University where he pursued his degree in business and accounting.
Mr. Grundy attended Indiana College of Mortuary Science in Indianapolis for two years, graduating in1948. Following his twenty-first birthday, he became a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of Indiana. He first worked for John A. Patton, owner of Patton Funeral Home, where he remained until 1968. He then worked for Flynn H. Moses Beauty Supply as an accountant from 1968-1972. In 1970, he purchased the empty Patton building at 2357 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Street and began renovations and remodeling to open Grundy Memorial Chapel, Inc., in May of 1972. He was a member of the Marion County and Indiana Funeral Directors Associations, serving on the Hightower Board.
Mr. Grundy was very active with the American Legion. In 1966, Oscar was installed as Commander of the Edward S. Gaillard American Legion Post No. 107. He remained an active member until moving to the Tillman H. Harpole American Legion Post #249, where he remained until they closed.
On December 29, 1956, Oscar married Katherine Louise Moore. This union was blessed with two children, Angela Merici and Troy Oscar. They shared fifty-four years together. During their time together, they were members of both the Black Cats Social Club and the Emanon Social Club.
Mr. Grundy was a founding member and the eldest member of Your Club, a Whist Club that met every other Thursday from September through May of each year. He was also a member of the Monday Night Whist Club and the Epicurean Club. He also followed along and played the daily Chess game in the Indianapolis Star Newspaper, until it was no longer printed.
Mr. Grundy joined Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church at the age of thirteen alongside his mother, where he has remained a faithful member for over 84 years. He also worked as a Trustee for over fifty plus years.
Mr. Grundy was an avid traveler, often visiting Phoenix, San Diego, Los Angeles (Agoura Hills) and Las Vegas for many years with his wife, Katherine and later with his son-in-law Michael. He and a group of friends also traveled to Rio de Janeiro for Carnival, where he climbed to the top of the mountain to see the Christ the Redeemer Statue in person. In 2008, he went on his first cruise down the Pacific coast; in 2016, he was able to experience the locks of the Panama Canal and in 2022, he traveled to Cabo San Lucas to see Gladys Knight in concert. Mr. Grundy was also an avid coin collector. He also had many different scales of trains, setting up K&O Railroad in the basement of his home. He also enjoyed watching the tractor pull contest at the Indiana State Fair and never missed a chance to ride the bumper cars – laughing hysterically when he was hit or he hit somebody.
On Friday, August 8, 2025, Mr. Oscar Oral Grundy passed away peacefully with his nurse, Susan Smith by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Katherine L. (Moore) Grundy; son, Troy O. Grundy; brother, Harold Carson Grundy Sr.; sister, Anna Catherine Banner; and grandsons, Kayden M. McCaslin and Austin M. Huggins.
He leaves behind his daughter, Angela Merici and husband, Michael A. Sallee, Sr.; grandchildren, Kasie J. Grundy (Greg Holman), Kalyn M. and Troi K. Grundy, Jeremy M. (Veronica) Sallee, Micah A. (Kevin) McMahon, Chelsea K. Sallee (Joshua Tidwell) and Michael A. (Maria) Sallee Jr.; great-grandchildren, Dion E. and Alexis N. Grundy, Jayden K. and Kaleb McCaslin, Naomee K. Gillespie and Raelyn I. Grundy, Merici K. McMahon, Remy M. and Joy I. Sallee, Sadie M. L. (and Stella L.) Sallee and Akai M. Tidwell; several nephews and nieces, great-nephews and nieces; great-great nephews and nieces; and a great-great-great nephew; many cousins and other relatives.
Celebration of Life services will be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 6:00pm at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 3801 Forest Manor, with visitation there from 4:00-6:00pm. Burial will be private
