John Colin Grant

1938 - 2023

John Colin (Ned) Grant was born on May 26, 1938 to parents Colin Russel and Mary Louise Grant. He passed away quietly on Dec 30, 2023. He is survived by his second wife, Amy Yun, and her children from a previous marriage, Jessica Wright and Mark Jeong. Ned's first wife, Shirley (Shubert) Grant proceeded Ned in death, and he is survived by his oldest son from that marriage, Joseph Grant. Two other sons from that marriage, John Grant and Geoff Grant, also proceeded Ned in death. He is also survived by a sister and a brother, Susan Wolter and Peter Grant.

Ned did his primary education at St Hugo of the Hills, and went on to Bloomfield Hills High School, where he participated in multiple school activities. His parents divorced during his High School career, and without hesitation he took on the "male" role in the household for his Mom, sisters, and little brother and began working at the gas station at the corner of Long Lake and Woodward ("The Corner") while still going to school. The Corner was a popular hangout for the kids from Ned's class, and he became a central fixture for many of the impromptu social gatherings that took place there. Popular among his classmates, Ned remained faithful to the "Class of '57" and attended many of the class reunions that were organized throughout his lifetime.

Ned took eleven years to get his degree in Business from Wayne State University. Being very proud of his degree and the school from which he got it, he went on to organize an annual golf outing at the Detroit Golf Club, the proceeds from which were used to establish a scholarship fund to help finance the education of disadvantaged students wanting to attend the School of Business at Wayne.

Ned began his "adult" working career with Shell Oil, and then moved on to Ford Motor. While successful at both places, Ned rankled at the idea of working for someone else, so he moved on to establish a number of his own successful companies, including Heilan Sales, and established himself as an independent manufacturing rep in the automotive fastener industry. He continued to work as Heilan Sales sole rep until just before his death.

Ned was a caring and giving person who wouldn't hesitate a moment to help those he loved. Aside from the scholarship fund he established at Wayne State, Ned tutored disadvantaged kids from the Big Brother program for several years, and was always "there" for his family and friends. He will be missed by all he touched throughout his life. Godspeed, Ned.

Memorial services for Ned will be held at the Romeo United Methodist Church, 280 N Main St., Romeo, MI on Saturday, February 17th from 11am-1pm.