Lawrence Grant

1938 - 2022

Lawrence Grant obituary, 1938-2022, Lawrence, KS

Lawrence Grant Obituary

Larry Grant went to meet his Maker on Sunday, February 27, 2022. He was born August 9, 1938, to Dorothy Joyce Aston and L. M. "Pete" Grant, Sr. of Memphis, TN. His parents preceded him in death, along with one sister, Betty Grant Gilpin of Punta Vedra, FL. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Phyllis, and three children: Rick, his wife Kara and their children, Nate and Makena, Teri, her husband, Rick Sabo, and their daughters Sarah and Kate (with fiancé Brett Kenney); and Tim, his wife Micki, and their sons, Jacob and Eli. His remaining sister, Judy Fischer, Collierville, TN, along with her family, also survives.

Larry graduated from Treadwell High School in Memphis in 1956. He attended Vanderbilt University. He earned his BA degree and an ROTC commission in the U. S. Army Reserve in 1960. He entered active duty at Ft. Benning, GA 1961. His first assignment was the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC, where he served as an intelligence staff officer. During this tour he was appointed a Regular Army officer and transferred to Infantry. He then went to the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, HI, where he served in the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry. His Division was deployed to Viet Nam, and six weeks into his tour, Larry assumed command of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry. During this assignment, he fought in several engagements and was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the nation's third highest decoration for valor. He completed his tour as battalion intelligence officer and returned to Ft. Benning for advanced schooling. This was followed by a second trip to Viet Nam, where he served as an operations officer in the highest headquarters in country.

Larry's forte was training. After serving as Assistant Professor of Military Science, Vanderbilt University, he completed the Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth KS and a Master of Public Administration degree at the University of Missouri Kansas City.

Larry retired from the Army in 1988 as Acting Director, Personnel and Community Activities, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. His decorations include the Combat Infantry Badge, the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Medal, two Defense Commendation Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, and the Republic of Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star.

In October 1988, he was hired as Assistant Manager, American Red Cross Station, Ft. Leonard Wood. He directed one or more programs and frequently acted as station manager, but his main concern was to provide emergency communications, counsel and financial assistance for the military personnel on the installation. In 1991-2, he served six months in Saudi Arabia and Iraq as Red Cross Station Manager, 24th Infantry Division during Operation Desert Shield/Dessert Storm. In 1993 he provided the same services to U. S. forces assigned to the U. N. relief effort in Somalia. His performance there earned him the Army's Civilian Award for Humanitarian Service. On his departure from Ft. Leonard Wood, the Engineer Center honored him with the DeFleury Award.

In August 1995, Larry left the American Red Cross' national sector to become the Executive Director, Howard-Tipton Chapter, in Kokomo, IN. He retired in 2008 to devote more time to his family. He received the highest Red Cross recognition for paid staff, the Tiffany Award for Excellence in Management, and his 20-year service pin.

Larry had two successful professional careers and another as a community volunteer. Whatever the job, he was willing to help. The most rewarding association was his twenty-two-year commitment to the Boy Scouts of America. He served as a committee member, cubmaster and scoutmaster. Under his tutelage, both of his sons and 14 other scouts attained the Eagle rank. Larry received the District Award of Merit, the Scoutmaster Award of Merit, and the Silver Beaver Award. Professionally and as a community volunteer leader, he was never spectacular, never looked for credit for himself but shared it with everyone involved. His most important work was as patriarch of a tremendous family, for which Phyllis deserves most of the credit. No man could ask for a better wife, soulmate, helpmate, partner and friend. She was always there for any of her brood who needed her. Rick, Teri, and Tim are all well-educated, married, and firmly established and happy. And all six of the grandchildren show promise of being smarter and at least as capable as their parents. Every man wants his children and grandchildren to be better than himself. These descendants give every indication that they will accomplish that goal.

Celebration of life at Central UMC, April 16, 2022. Interment at Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery. Memorials to Central UMC, the American Red Cross National Disaster Fund, the charity of your choice, or give some flowers to someone you love.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Mar. 6, 2022.
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Larry was a great person to know- caring, strong, humble, willing, hard-working, humorous, and one of the best. We enjoyed getting to know Larry as a friend at Grace United Methodist Church when he & Phyllis lived in Kokomo. He is an inspiration to us that we will long remember. Our love goes out to Phyllis on the anniversary of his passing.

Dave & Donna Brownfield

Friend

March 1, 2023

I am so sorry for your loss. I volunteered under Larry as a member of the Red Cross Disaster Service team in Kokomo IN. I also attended church with Larry at Grace UMC. Kokomo. He was a wonderful man. He truly had the heart to train and build into people. May God give family and friends comfort and peace.

David Lovegrove

Work

March 31, 2022

Larry was an exceptional, caring, loving man. He made a difference wherever he lived or worked. He was always willing to help out in any way he could. He will be greatly missed by the many people that he came into contact with during his lifetime. I thank God for letting Larry touch so many lives in such a positive way. Rest in peace.

Karen Rhoads

Friend

March 6, 2022

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