Robert Lee Grantham

Robert (Bobby) Lee Grantham, 86, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family. Bobby was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. His young life revolved around a series of adventures and misadventures with his older brother James (Sonny). Shortly after turning 18, Bobby enlisted in the U.S. Army and was shipped off to Korea. It was in Korea at 19 years old where he was shot in the head by the accidental discharge of a 45-caliber pistol. He was shipped back stateside to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. where he spent months recovering before going back to active duty. He spent the remainder of his enlistment in Germany with the 7th Army, 746th Armored Infantry Battalion.

While in the Army, Bobby started a pen-pal relationship with his future wife, Vivian Jackson. Bobby and Vivian married in 1958, started a family, and settled in the Ball Camp Community of Knox County where they raised three children. Bobby worked for ORNL X-10 plant for over 27 years and retired in 1993. He enjoyed a long life and close to 30 years of retirement. He enjoyed his family, maintaining his property and entertaining grandchildren with rides on his lawn mower or his trailer pulled by the lawn mower through the backyard.

Bobby was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years Vivian (Jackson) Grantham, son Michael Anthony Grantham, father James H. Grantham II, mother Nettie Cruze & step-father Andrew Cruze, brother James (Sonny) Grantham III, sisters Barbara Drain and Elisabeth (Sue) Huot.

He is survived by daughters and sons-in-law Linda & Doug DeFord and Janet & Robert Wambach; grandchildren Kimberly (Chris) Curl, Joshua (Keely) Grantham, Rebecca DeFord, Emily Wambach, Daniel DeFord, and Zane DeFord; great-grandchildren Tinsley, Hudson, and Madeline

Grantham; Amelia and Crew Curl; siblings Andrew Cruze, Nancy Caldwell, and Judy Monday.

A celebration of life will be held on May 30, 2023, at 12:30 PM in the Chapel at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E. Gov. John Sevier (Hwy 168), Knoxville, 37920 with interment immediately following. The family would like to thank Professional Case Management for in-home nursing care and Amedisys Hospice. In lieu of flowers, have a toast to Bobby and a life well lived or make a donation to a charity of your choice.