Gerald Joseph Grant

Gerald Joseph Grant, 97, Kansas City North, passed away May 29, 2017. The Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 AM Monday, June 5th, with a visitation beginning at 9:30 AM, at the Holy Family Catholic Church, 919 NE 96th ST, Kansas City, MO. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Holy Family Catholic Worker House.

Gerald was born October 13, 1919 to Robert T. and Agnes (Grattelo) Grant in Freeport, IL. After graduating from Freeport High School in 1937, he studied 2 years at Notre Dame College, before being drafted into the U.S. Army where he served 4 years in World War II in the 30th Infantry Division, 230th Artillery Battalion, in Europe. He attained the title of Master Sergeant and received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for meritorious service in combat. Gerald was honorably discharged from the Army in September of 1945.

Gerald married Mary Reynolds on July 10, 1943 in Asheville, NC. She was his wife for 71 years until her death in 2014. Returning to Freeport after his army service, he was employed by Burgess Battery/Gould for 29 years as manager of Industrial Engineering. He also was the photographer and editor of the Burgess monthly magazine. Gerald operated his photo studio and darkroom in his home. Gerry and Mary raised 5 children in Freeport where they attended St. Thomas Catholic Church.

In October of 1976 he and Mary moved to Mission, KS where they became residential apartment managers of Lamar Place. Upon retirement they moved to Kansas City, MO where they donated 10 years of caring for the grounds of Holy Family Catholic Church. They also served meals at the Holy Family Catholic Worker House and picked up bread and delivered to meal sites. For their many acts of love to their church and community they received the Bishop’s Recognition Award.

Gerry’s lifelong passion was photography, as evidenced by the many family photos he took and developed with so much pride. He also had a keen interest in the stock market with his precise statistical recordings. He liked gardening, home improvements, and traveling. His Catholic Faith and family were most important to him. A man of few words, he taught his children a hard work ethic. He was a man of charity, integrity, honesty and gentleness.

Gerry is survived by 4 children, Frederica (Tony) of Mesa, AZ, Barbara Ehlers of Kansas City, MO, Claudia Grant of Lombard, IL, and Bill (Gayle Bennett-Grant) Grant of Kansas City; daughter-in-law, Vanessa Grant-Nauman of San Marcos, CA; 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Laura Annette, and a son, Patrick Anthony, his parents, a brother, Donald Grant, and a sister, Dorothy Mongoven.