Leo Melvin Grant

Leo Melvin Grant, 71, passed away July 1, 2010 in Lindon, UT. He was born May 1, 1939 in American Fork, UT to Melvin Walter and Lena Leona Andreasen Grant. He married Amy LaRae Hanks June 7, 1961 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. Survived by his wife; four sons Terry, Paul, James and John Grant; his sister Carma Newman and 14 grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents and sister LaRae Lockwood. Funeral services will be held Thursday July 8, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the Lindon 21st Ward 325 N. Canal Dr. Visitations will be held Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Anderson & Sons Mortuary 49 E 100 N, American Fork and Thursday from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Burial in the American Fork Cemetery with military rites performed by the VFW District 4. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Leo M. Grant Foundation at Zions Bank. More info at www. andersonmortuary.com

A Letter from Amy:

It is with deep gratitude I send you this email…grateful that I shared Leo’s life on earth for 49 years and even more grateful that I will share eternity with him. As in life, he was ahead of me in school. He graduated, went on to higher learning and then served a mission for the Lord for 2 years before I graduated and we could marry….again, that’s what is happening. He has graduated, gone on to higher learning and continues to serve the Lord, as he has his entire life. He now is waiting for me to graduate and join him…

SO I AM NOT A WIDOW. LEO STILL LIVES AND IS PREPARING A PLACE FOR ME IN FATHER’S KINGDOM. WE ARE JUST TEMPORARILY SEPARATED WHILE HE IS ON ‘HIS MISSION’ AND I PREPARE FOR GRADUATION.

BACKGROUND LEADING TO HIS PASSING…

January 1, 2010 brought surprising news to us. Leo had a brain tumor the size of a golf ball! January 7 it was removed. The surgeon confirmed that the cancer cells came into the brain via the blood stream and had planted themselves in the brain where the cancer cells began to grow. It was the same cancer as that of the first tumor behind his ear 18 months prior. But the surgeon was able to get the entire tumor out with no expected side effects. OH WHAT A RELIEF!

We let everyone know prayers had been answered and looked ahead with great expectations. However, those expectations were short lived. January 13 brought sobering news. Leo’s tests showed several other places cancer cells had taken root—more brain tumors, spots on his lungs, in his bones at the top of the spine and bottom of his spine and his hip. They said there was nothing they could do for Leo. Once cancer gets in the blood there was no hope. Because cancer was in his bones, as it grew, it would begin to break the bones, which would be excruciating pain. Leo’s cancer was fast growing, so he didn’t have much time. We turned it over to the Lord and our Father in Heaven, knowing ‘Father knows best’. We determined to plant the seeds for recovery, but gave the harvest to our Heavenly Father.

February 1: Leo was jaundice and his motor skills were failing fast. We flew to South Carolina to spend 2 weeks with a close friend and naturopathic doctor who we believed could help Leo. He did! Leo’s coloring and motor skills came back and he felt great for the next 2 months.

Mid April pain set in. We literally tried everything to alleviate the pain. Even the strongest pain pills nor morphine could keep the excruciating pain at bay. My quiet giant humbly endured and never cussed. Other experienced cancer experts began to come into our lives. They felt Leo could return to health. We planted every seed possible in order to give Father all options for His harvest. His will was our will because we know He loves each of us personally; and when we allow His will to take precedence over our own, it ALWAYS turns out for the best. Even at this moment, I know it is for our best. What I don’t understand, I trust.

June 24: Leo called his 4 sons together, showed them important papers and gave his last counsel to them. From that point, we knew it was just a matter of days.

July 1: Leo was sleeping peacefully at home when he took his last breath. He leaves a legacy of faith, hope and charity. He will forever be known as man who loved the Lord, his wife, his family and his fellowmen. He has always been my best friend and cheerleader, always thoughtful and very concerned about taking care of me. He was ready long before July 1 to be with the Lord and to be out pain; but he didn’t want to leave me. His last words were the night before when he motioned for me to draw near him. He put his arms around me and whispered, “My sweetheart, my sweetheart.”

Leo Melvin Grant, received his “Duty to God” award as a young man, including 7 years straight with perfect attendance at church; a drum major in high school, graduated 1957; served as a Latter-day Saint missionary in the Central States 1959-61 for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, served as a Yeoman in US Navy 1961-1963; graduated with Master’s degree in Psychology and school administration from BYU 1976; school teacher and counselor at Orem & Pleasant Grove Junior High Schools; served as Temple Square missionary and supervisor 1982-1988; in Bishopric at BYU 2004-2007; an international businessman 1985-2004, invited to the White House during Pres. Reagan administration as a national opinion leader; enjoyed working on his genealogy; temple worker 2004-2009; lived and died with an absolute testimony of the restored gospel of Christ,
at the age of 71 he passed away July 1, 2010 in Lindon, UT. He was born May 1, 1939 in American Fork, UT to Melvin Walter and Lena Leona Andreasen Grant. He married Amy LaRae Hanks June 7, 1961 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. He is survived by his wife; four sons Terry, Paul, James and John Grant; his sister Carma Newman and 14 grandchildren. He is preceded
in death by his parents and sister, LaRae Lockwood. Viewing and visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Anderson & Sons Mortuary,49 E 100 N, American Fork.

Funeral services will be held Thursday July 8, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the Lindon 21st Ward,325 N. Canal Dr. (follow 400 North Lindon East to 600 East; turn South to 325).
Viewing and visitation will be prior to services, 9:30-10:45 am.

Burial in the American Fork Cemetery with Military Rites performed by the VFW District 4.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leo M. Grant Foundation at any Zions bank. Address checks to: 606 East State Street, American Fork, Utah 84003.
For direct wires, call: 801-756-1444

At a time like this, we more fully comprehend the utmost value of loved ones and forever friendships. I deeply thank you for both. Thank you for your prayers. We know all of the efforts and prayers from so many gave us more time and preparation for this short separation.

Your eternal cheerleader,
Amy Grant