Joseph Edward Grant, Jr,

On Saturday, May 14, 2022, Joseph Edward Grant Jr. peacefully responded to the call of eternal rest. A special man of his time, Joseph Edward Grant Jr. was born on March 6, 1946, in Georgetown, South Carolina to loving parents, Joseph Edward Grant Sr. and Valdena Veronica Martin Grant. He was fondly called Joe from an early age, named after Joe Black an outstanding Baseball player. His passion for sports, and the game of basketball started at an early age and continued to his last day. Growing up in the Lincoln Projects in Harlem with his sister Cassandra and brother Terrence, Joe excelled as a student and played on every court. The family later moved to Queens where Joe graduated from Shimer Junior High School and John Adams High School. The Big Park in Harlem, Lincoln Park in Queens, and various courts from New York to South Carolina hold a special memory, for those who knew how much he loved the game of basketball. Lasting friendships formed, and extended family members still hold fond memories of the great times and the seriousness by which he played the game. This love of sports was passed on to his children, grandchildren, and any young person he met during his life's journey. Joe was a quiet spirit, but he always took on a leadership role amongst his friends. His cool, debonair, and fashionable style came both from his mother and father who were excellent role models for their children. Joe was the one everyone wanted to be around, and he always hosted the best parties. His second passion was his love of music, amassing an outstanding collection of Jazz, R&B, and other genres.

Raised up in a Christian home, Joe served as an altar boy, he was baptized, and accepted Christ in his early years. Church was a main stay in the Grant household from New York to South Carolina. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church located in South Carolina and Harlem, and Rush Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Queens were the foundation of his spiritual walk. His parents and Grandparents made sure of that every Sunday. Drafted in 1966, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country during the Vietnam war and was stationed in Japan. There he began learning and excelling with new skills in technology. Upon his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Joe pursued a career in technology and met the love of his life, Phyllis. The two were joined in holy matrimony in 1974. Joe continued to advance in the field of technology and worked for the Bank of New York, and later joined Electronic Data Systems (now HP). After 20+ years of service, Joe successfully retired from EDS and began working for Plano Sports Authority. Throughout his professional career, Joe remained highly active and involved with the youth sports community where he served as a coach, and mentor to countless youth in the North Texas area. Several of whom went on to be distinguished collegiate and professional athletes.

Joe grew up during a time when extended family and friends were raised like your siblings as one big family. Family was everything to Joe, and he instilled this important value into his own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. If you asked Joe, he would tell you that there is nothing more important than family. He loved family gatherings especially around the holiday season and entertaining his family and friends. He was most happy when his home was filled with those he loved, sharing stories, laughing, and making memories together. In fact, Joe’s final comment to his family on Easter Sunday was “Ya’ll must keep doing this, family is everything!”  We will embrace those times that shaped and sustained his life and those of countless others. Joe had a big heart, and he never met a stranger. His endless love and support will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him.  He was a legend who has left an impeccable legacy that will live on for generations to come.

Joe leaves to cherish and celebrate his legacy a loving and devoted wife of 47 years, Phyllis Grant of Frisco, TX; daughter Danita Grant-Pea (Jerry) of Frisco, TX, and son Aaron Grant of Frisco, TX; grandchildren Deshon Grant, Madison Pea, Jalen Pea, Jackson Pea, Miles Session Grant, Evelyn Session, and Isaiah Session all of Frisco, TX; sister Cassandra Grant (Sharon) of New York; brother Terrance Grant (Maria) of Orlando, Florida, Charles Burrage (Bessie) of Georgetown, South Carolina; Sister-in-law Carol White (Andrew) of Plano, TX, Paulette Greene (Kelvin) of Poconos Summit, PA; Magaline Gary-Grant of Georgetown, SC; The Elders’ of the family Ruthena and Claude Bibb of Georgetown, South Carolina Margaret Lawson of New York, who stood in the yard as the Midwife delivered him; brothers and sisters in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and countless friends.  Joe is preceded in death by his father Joseph E. Grant Sr., his mother Valdena V. Martin Grant, and brother Ralph Grant.