Reverend Edwin H. Grant Jr.

Edwin Grant Obituary

Reverend Edwin H. Grant Jr. July 5, 1929 - January 22, 2009 He was born to Marion and Edwin H. Grant Sr., in Wilmore, Kentucky. Ed graduated from Asbury College and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He met Roberta J. Middleton, "Bobby," fell in love and married on September 1, 1950. They had four children, all boys, Edwin III, Timothy, Mark and Daniel. He will be remembered as a strong family man who loved his children: Edwin III (Diane), Timothy (Nannette), Mark and Daniel; Grandchildren: Edwin IV, Jeff, Becky, Nicole, Debbie, Ryan, Kyle, Catherine, Melissa, Daniel and Blake; Great Grand children: Jack, Faith, Edwin V and Carly. Ed is survived by his brother Don and his sister Marcheta while his brother Stewart, his mother and father and his beloved Bobby are now with him in Heaven. Ed's lifelong commitment to the ministry saw him serving at churches starting at the age of 17. He ministered all over the country including Northern Indiana, New Paris, Butler, and Alexandria, Indiana. He also served in Fullerton, CA and throughout out Arizona in churches in Tempe, Fountain Hills, and Kearny. Ed was awarded various accolades and proclamations throughout his career including Man of the Year and Distinguished Service Awards. One of his proudest achievements was over 29 years of sobriety and the opportunity that gave him to minister to others. In the tradition of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he enjoyed ministering to others more than anything in life. He was well known for and took great pride in developing Christian based ministries centered around art and music with a special emphasis on Jazz. He started The Inspiration Coffee House in Fountain Hills and the Butterfly Garden in Kearny as a means to reach out to people that traditional Churches were not reaching. Ed's passions beyond the ministry were centered on his reading and writing. He was a prolific writer and authored many articles, books of Poems and reflective papers. He loved being by the ocean and the mountains and anywhere where he most deeply felt the presence of the Lord. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations go to the Roberta and Edwin Grant, Jr. Scholarship Fund at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, 2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Ill 60201. Edwin's life will be celebrated and remembered in a Celebration of Life at The Fountains United Methodist Church 15300 N. Fountain Hills Blvd in Fountain Hills, AZ. Phone 480-837-7627. The Celebration will be held on Wednesday, January 28th at 2 pm.

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Published by The Arizona Republic on Jan. 25, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Edwin Grant

7 Entries

Josephine Cranson

February 2, 2009

Heard of Ed's passing from David's brother, Bruce Cranson,

David and I (Jo) were members of the Christ Chapel Church on Southern Ave, Tempe, Az while Ed was the minister there. David and I now live in God's country, Payson, Az. Our son, Alan and his wife Yvonne (Hale) were married by Ed at Christ Chapel.

Gordon Wren

January 28, 2009

Rev Ed's selfless service for the benefit of others is remembered and appreciated. Thankyou for your numerous contributions.
Many blessings,

Kate Harper

January 28, 2009

Rev Ed as he was affectionately know in our wild and wonderful youth group (Tempe early 70s) made such a huge difference in my life. I had recently lost my father, and he quietly let me know that God's love and my father's love was alive and all around me. Rev Ed - I love you and honor you.

Leslie Grant

January 26, 2009

Ed was such a supportive and loving person to me. He gave such postive, unconditional loving support to myself and my family. I have always had such an admiration for him. I am thankful to have had in my life.

Rebecca Hardcastle

January 26, 2009

Ed's life is music to me, my family and friends. His harmonic is love and lives eternally in every life that touched his. He makes our hearts sing.

Katy Konski

January 26, 2009

It was an incredible honor to know and love Ed. Knowing him first as a pastor, then as a beloved role model and friend, he brought such joy and light to my life. I will forever remember my time with him and cherish all that he brought to my life.

Bob & Donna Murry

January 25, 2009

What a privilege it was to be a NOMAD on the first team at United Methodist Church of the Good Shepherd in Kearny, Az and begin work sculpting Ed's vision of that desert property for the use of the community. Many rocks were rearranged that first year. We have visited each year since and watched the progress. Ed taught us a lot about faith, hope, beauty, and peace. He was a very special individual and we will miss our yearly visits.

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