The 52-year-old Grady died June 28, when he helped others free his son from the raging waters with his last ounce of strength, then drowned.

At the memorial, friends spoke of a man who was dedicated and devoted to his family and to the many children he coached in sports leagues.

Each of his boys received a memento from their father's belongings, a small cross and his Bible.

His youngest son read a letter to his father in which he called him a hero.

His wife, Lisa, wrote, "I depart today with the comfort of knowing that my husband loved and honored me unconditionally, and that he laid his life down for our son."