Gordon George Grant

Gordon G. Grant (1941-2014) - Obituary Gordon was born to Nina Hawkins Grant and George Charles Grant on March 19, 1941, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He spent his early formative years in farming communities a few miles west of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St.Paul) and moved with his family to Pawhuska, Oklahoma, in the early 1950’s. He was active in student affairs and worked extensively with the local newspaper, The Pawhuska Journal-Capital, while in high school. He was a member of Key Club and active in Scouting. Gordon graduated in 1959 as valedictorian. Gordon attended Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. He worked at the University Press, and in the summers he drove combines. He was elected King Phillip and graduated in 1963 with a BA, majoring in math and physics. He then worked as a cartographer in St. Louis making aeronautical charts. Gordon taught high school math and physics in Ponca City, OK, worked summers at the Conoco Research Lab and later attended graduate school at the University of Minnesota, working toward his PhD in math and physics. While at the University he worked with a group to develop the Chateau Cooperative Housing Project which still operates today. Before entering the Peace Corps in 1972, he taught for two years in North St. Paul and was active in the Vietnam War protest movement. While teaching and working in community development with the Peace Corps near Lake Victoria in Kenya, Africa, he met his wife Marit Soldal of Bergen, Norway, who was also teaching in a nearby village with the Norwegian Volunteer Service. They were married in Kenya, on November 5, 1976. Upon returning to the USA, Gordon joined Phillips Petroleum Company in the area of scientific computing, working there until his retirement in 2003. Throughout most of his career, Gordon was active with the Disciples Christian Church where he was President and Elder and taught youth Sunday School for 30 years. He participated in 2 mission trips to Nicaragua where he helped build houses. Gordon and Marit worked on the Crop Walk for 30 years. Gordon worked for 15 years with Habitat for Humanity and was on the Board of Directors. He co-founded the Women’s Car Repair Program sponsored by CWU and participated in Bridges Out of Poverty. He coached student soccer teams and tutored for many years. His heart was devoted to youth. In 2010 -2011, Gordon was awarded the Outstanding Citizen Award for Bartlesville. He was also a finalist as an Outstanding Community Leader in Oklahoma in 2010. In recent years he has experienced ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), leading to his death. Survivors include his wife Marit Soldal Grant, son Dr. Gregory Grant, his wife Jennifer and grandchildren Kathrine Anne and Gavin Gregory of Shawnee, OK, daughter Kari – Anne Grant of Bartlesville, OK and younger brothers William C. Grant (Kay Hamilton) of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and John H. Grant (Ruth Ann Blackstock) of Ft. Collins, Colorado. He is also survived by his sisters- and brothers-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews in Norway and the USA. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents and his parents in law. A memorial service will be held at the Disciples Christian Church on Saturday 18, 2014 at 11:00 with Dr. Bill Inglish officiating. Arrangement by the Stumpff Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Disciples Christian Church, 5800 SE Douglas, 74006, Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 1284, 74005, or the Women’s Car Repair Fund, in care of Church Women United 5800 SE Douglas, 74006. Friends who wish may sign the online guest book and leave condolences at www.stumpff.org PDF Printable Version

Gordon George Grant

March 19, 1941 - October 8, 2014