John Grant

John Grant, husband, father, and dedicated family member passed away with his family by his side on Oct. 3, 2014, as a result of kidney cancer.

John was born on May 16, 1939, to Sam and Irene Grant of Prescott. John was a direct descendant of Jonathan Pettyjohn, a local pioneer who established a family farm in 1858 that his family still farms today.

John attended Prescott grade school and graduated from Prescott high school in 1957, with his twin brother Joe. He graduated from Washington State College (WSU) in 1961 with a degree in Ag-Economics. John recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Lambda Chi Fraternity with several close fraternity brothers.

On Aug. 27, 1961, John married Patti Hofer. They were born two days apart and attended the same elementary, highs school, and college. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends in 2011.

After their graduation from college, John and Patti moved to the Seattle area. John worked in the National Bank of Commerce Trust department from 1961-1966, Dominick and Dominick Bond Trading and Institutional Sales from 1966-73, and at Blythe Eastman Dillon as a broker in 1973. During his years as a broker, John traveled to Alaska, Chicago, and Wall Street and learned skills that he would utilize years later as a farmer. John served in the National Guard in 1961, and the National Reserves from 1961-67. After moving to Walla Walla with his family in 1973, John continued to work as a broker under a number of firms including Shearson Lehman.

John worked as a farmer starting in 1979 until his death. This, along with marketing, was his true passion in life. He started with 1200 acres on the Hofer family farm. In 1986, he formed a partnership with Patti and his son, Dan. As a result, Dan became a fifth generation farmer on the Hofer land. Over the years, John survived low wheat prices, drought, and all the challenges modern farmers face. Despite the challenges, John Grant and Son grew from 1200 to 15,000 acres. Along with farming, John continued charting the markets, commodities, and stocks. His countless hours of research allowed him to enjoy great success in forecasting.

John was an active voice for the farming community when he advocated for pro-wheat legislation while serving as committee member and president of the Walla Walla Country Wheat Growers. He also used his expertise in finance to support the Endowment Fund for Catholic Schools for many years. John was a member of the Elks, Northwest Grain Growers, Walla Walla Country Club, and St. Patrick’s Church.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Irene; brothers, Bill and Sam Jr.; brother-in-law, Lynn Tompkins; nephew, Frank Tompkins; father-in-law, Mike Hofer. He is survived by his wife Patti; sons, Dan (Jerri), and Matt (Eileen); daughter, Sarah (Adam) Sisk; grandchildren, Dylan, Emiko, Sam, Evi, and Sal; siblings, Mary Tompkins, and Joseph Grant; brother-in-law, Ken Hofer (Patti); sisters-in-law, Georgene Grant, Nancy Grant, and Pam Hofer (Richard Cummings); mother-in-law, Connie Wyrick (Wayne); and many beloved nephews and nieces.

John always enjoyed his family as evidenced by the yearly Fourth of July get-togethers with extended family and friends, coaching his kids’ youth soccer and baseball teams, and yearly family journeys to Cannon Beach. People who knew John would describe him as having high expectations for himself and others, strong opinions and literacy about world events, caring for animals, and spending time with grandkids. He was incredibly generous and proud of his family.

Viewing & visitation will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2014 from 3:00 PM until after the Rosary. The Rosary will be held at Herring Grosceclose Funeral Home at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014, with funeral mass at St. Patrick’s Church at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, 2014. A burial at Prescott Cemetery will immediately follow. All family and friends are invited to a reception at the Walla Walla Country Club from 1-3 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Walla Walla Catholic Schools Endowment or Walla Walla Community Hospice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.