James David Grant

October 12, 1948 - February 16, 2024 Dr. James ("Jamie") David Grant, MD died of acute renal failure after a years-long battle with dementia on February 16, 2024. Jamie was born on October 12, 1948 in Dubuque, IA to Ann Yvonne and Robert Holger Grant. Son of a decorated career Naval Aviator, Jamie moved frequently growing up, ultimately graduating from Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton. Jamie then attended UC Irvine, where he was introduced to rugby, his lifelong passion. He was quickly advised that no Scottish rugby player should go by James: it's Jamie. It stuck. Following UC Irvine, Jamie attended UCLA Medical School, where he played his first international matches with the 1970 Australia-New Zealand UC Rugby Touring Side. He received his Letterman Award as starting Hooker on the 1972 UCLA team that went 31-1 and won the prestigious Monterey National Rugby Tournament at Pebble Beach. Jamie would win the national championship again as a Bruin in 1975. Upon graduation from medical school, Jamie continued playing rugby for Santa Monica Rugby Club, where he won his third national championship at Pebble Beach in 1981. He then played for Los Angeles Rugby Club, including their 1985 tour in Argentina. Throughout his club career, Jamie was chosen for several representative teams, including the Southern California Griffins and the Pacific Coast Grizzlies, with whom he received the Most Valuable Forward award at the 1978 Michelob Continental Rugby Classic. Most notably, Jamie proudly represented his country on the United States Eagles national team, earning his cap (first test match) on September 25, 1981 against South Africa in Glenville, NY. Upon retiring as a player, Jamie cherished the opportunity to coach his sons to several high school championships with the Los Angeles Cougars Rugby Club, and to return to his alma mater to coach-where the UCLA Most Improved Player award is named in his honor. Later in life, he was twice inducted into the UCLA Rugby Hall of Fame-individually in 2010, and again in 2022 as part of the renowned 1972 team. Professionally, Jamie was an emergency room physician. Board-certified in internal and emergency medicine, he helped and saved countless lives in Los Angeles County for over 40 years. From 1994-1996, he served as Chairman and President of the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Directors Association. Jamie loved Hawaii, history, and his family. He mended many a scraped knee in the health room at his children's elementary school, and sutured many a gashed eyebrow on well-lighted pool tables at post-match rugby celebrations. He lived his final years in Santa Barbara under the loving care of his daughter. Jamie is survived by his children James (Katherine), Sean (Lisa), and Colleen (Sean Kintz) Grant; grandchildren Mackenzie, Brendan, and Benjamin Grant; siblings Trish (Kip) Bagley and Jo Ann (Kevin) Gotcher; and his treasured rugby community. Loved ones held memorial services in his hometown of Manhattan Beach and scattered his ashes off his beloved California coast. In lieu of flowers, his children request donations be made "in memory of Jamie Grant" to UCLA Men's Rugby.