Albert Daniel Grantham

Albert Daniel GRANTHAM, CAPT, USCG retired Of Bellevue, passed away on February 16, 2010 in Beaverton, OR, while on a family vacation in honor of his 80th birthday. CAPT Grantham was born February 10, 1930 to Gertrude Wilson Grantham and Anthony Grantham at Attica, NY. Raised in Chicago, he graduated from Lane Technical HS in 1947 and enlisted in the US Coast Guard two years later. After training as an Electronics Technician, he rose through the enlisted grades to Chief Petty Officer. After attending Officer Candidate School Class 2-57 at the USCG Academy in New London, CT, he was commissioned as an Ensign. He retired on August 1, 1983 with 34 years of service in which he served on 11 Coast Guard cutters, including command of the USCGC Heather and the USCGC Walnut, and various Coast Guard units all around the world including service in Vietnam and during the Korean War. His last tour was served in Seattle on the Staff of the Commander, 13th Coast Guard District. After leaving active duty, CAPT Grantham was self-employed as a maritime issues consultant and active in many military organizations. He served as a National Director Emeritus of the Navy League of the US and as past President of the Seattle Council and former Director of the Lake Washington Council. He also served as past Vice President of the Seattle Chapter of the Military Officers Association, past President of the Washington 2 Chapter of the National Association for the Uniformed Services, and past National President of the Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association. A lifetime member of the US Naval Institute, his other active memberships included the Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association, the USCG Chief Petty Officers Association, the Foundation for Coast Guard History, the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association (NORPAC Chapter), and the Ancient Order of the Pterodactyl. His Masonic affiliation included his 50+ year membership in the Star in the East Lodge AF&AM of New Bedford, MA, and his life membership in the Port Norfolk Royal Arch Chapter No. 36, Portsmouth, VA. On September 28, 1951, he married the love of his life, the former Pearl Elizabeth Jones of South Norfolk, VA who gave him four daughters - Angela M. (Stephen) Butterworth of Bellevue, WA, Pamela E. (CDR Dale, USCG, retired) Ward of Chesapeake, VA, Patricia A. (Matt Holmes) Grantham of Yreka, CA, and Alberta Diane (Eric) Mischke of Woodinville, WA. The couple have eight grandchildren - Robert Butterworth of Bellevue, WA, Mathew (Mandy) Ward of San Rafael, CA, Jonathan (Melissa) Ward of Virginia Beach, VA, Michael Serafini of Petersburg, AK, Maya Holmes of Petersburg, AK, Alexander Grantham Mischke of Woodinville, WA, Rebecca Mischke of Woodinville, WA, and Jane Holmes Grantham of Yreka,CA - and recently welcomed their first great-grandchild, Maxton Andrew Ward of San Rafael, CA. CAPT Grantham is also survived by his older sister, Opal Grantham of Chicago, IL, and younger brother, Anthony (Donna) Grant- ham of Dixon, IL and Hudson, FL. Visitation will be held on Saturday evening, February 27, from 6-8 PM at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue. A "Celebration of Life" service will be held on Sunday, February 28, at 2 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 1717 Bellevue Way NE, with internment at Tahoma National Cemetery on Monday, March 1 at 11:15 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the following charities that were very dear to CAPT Grantham: Holiday Stockings for Homeless Children, PO Box 6392, Bellevue, WA 98008-0392, or The Jubilee Center, First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 1717 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004. Messages of condolences may be left at www.sunsethillsmemorial.com.