Grant Edward Linhart

Grant Edward Linhart Rancho Mirage, CA – Sunday, April 24, 2022, Grant E. Linhart, 77, died unexpectedly at Eisenhower Hospital. He was born December 2, 1944, in San Bernardino, CA, the son of Grant Epler and Lila "Linda" May Smith, both of Los Angeles, CA. When Grant was a year old, his mother and father divorced. At the age of five, his mother married Edward Ervin Linhart who would later legally adopt Grant and give him the middle name of 'Edward' and the last name of Linhart. Grant graduated from Milliken High School in Long Beach, CA, Class of 1962. Following his graduation, he served as a Fire Control Mechanic in the U.S. Navy. Assigned to the USS Fletcher based out of Hawaii, he fought along the shores of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. His service garnered him the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. After his service, he married Jessie Saropsane. Jessie would later die of breast cancer. In the fall of 1969, Grant married Marie Louise Moore. They had two children. During this time, he was accepted into the electrical apprenticeship through the I.B.E.W. Local 441 in Santa Ana, CA. Grant would go on to work on vast and varied projects throughout the state of California and in parts of Texas, later returning to California and running his own electrical business in Placerville. In 2004, Grant retired out of I.B.E.W. Local 6 in San Francisco with thirty-five years of service. In 1983, he converted to Catholicism and credits his mentor, Ralph Redling, a deacon at the local parish church, with his deep faith and devotion to the rosary. Through a series of events, Grant met and eventually married Maribel Simionato aka Mary. In 1987, they married on Mary's birthday. His friends teased that he got off easy by only having to buy one gift for both occasions, but the cajoling made no difference. Grant never failed to give Mary two gifts to commemorate both occasions. His love for her never failed nor has there ever been a doubt of his devotion to her through good times and bad. Never a perception. Always a reality. Celebrating each and every day as if it were their first. When Grant was discharged from his naval duties, he was welcomed home by his Mom and her new husband, Raymond White. After Grant married Mary, Ray and Linda encouraged them to move closer to Temecula where Ray and Linda had moved several months before. Grant and Mary moved to Murrieta to live close by Linda and Ray, enjoying lots of fun family times together which included his son also named Grant, and Mary's three children. Their early years were spent working, Grant in Orange County and Mary in San Diego, plus shuttling kids back and forth to school and all their activities. They were very involved in the start of their new parish church, St. Martha's and in different parish ministries. Grant was also in the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal organization in the Catholic Church and over the years served in several capacities, eventually becoming Grand Knight and also achieving 4th degree status, the patriotic arm of the Knights. He continued his community service through the Knights and after twenty-five years, received a lifetime honorary membership. Grant was looking forward to the launch of and being the Bingo caller for Sacred Heart Church's Padre Pio Council 17203's Bingo activities. Being Bingo caller was one of his all-time favorite things to do and the players loved his sense of humor and great speaking voice. Through his mother, who was a professional dancer, Grant became an accomplished ballroom dancer. In the eighth grade, he was such a polished dancer that all the girls wanted to dance with him. His name was always on numerous dance cards. Grant also loved sports. It did not matter what sport he attempted, he always excelled, attributing his sports abilities to what he learned as a dancer. Timing and rhythm were everything and he applied those skills to be his best at any sport he tried. As a young teen, Grant was an active member of the Sea Scouts BSA where he took its four pillars to heart: Seamanship, Service, Scouting, and Social. As a Sea Scout, Grant became skilled at being a helmsman, navigator, sail handler, and engineer. And it really helped that he could swim like a fish. However, of all the sports Grant ever tried, baseball and golf were tied for first place. He really wanted to be a pro-baseball player but settled on being as good an amateur golfer as he could be. Other players, men and women alike, always loved teaming up with Grant. His skill would fill in the points when most needed. Along the way, Grant won several tournaments and eventually played in charitable PRO-AMs in foursomes with the likes of actors, Robert Wagner, Desi Arnaz, Jr., and notables such as former President Bill Clinton and President Gerald Ford. Wherever he lived, Grant always had time for community functions. He was a volunteer fireman, a member of the city council, both in Mart, TX., a beloved tour guide at Southfork Ranch of 'Dallas' fame where he drove a tram filled with awe-struck tourists from various countries, coached Little League, had a seat on Cathedral City's planning commission, enjoyed BBQing and smoking meats for labor union functions, was a member of the Elks and the Lions, Citizens on Patrol, the Bingo caller at Date Palm Country Club where he was quite the character, President, Vice President, and later newsletter writer of the Men's Club and most recently, became President of the Date Palm Community Association. Whether at work, after work, or in retirement, Grant was adept at and loved bringing teams together for the good of those he worked with and for those who lived in his community. Grant's legacy is one of integrity, devotion, and loyalty to those he most loved, his family, immediate and extended, and the vast and varied friendships he has made along the way, planting seeds in a garden he will never see, but felt and experienced individually and by many of us. He was clever, resourceful, thoughtful, great speaking and singing voice shining at carpool karaoke, and was ever the optimist starting every single day on a positive note. Grant's description of an optimist is someone who realizes taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster. It's a cha-cha and he claimed to have danced a few of those in his lifetime. Grant's parents have predeceased him, as well as his cousin, Bill Kennedy. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 35 years, Maribel (Mary), his children, daughter Cindy Ware (David), and their children, Caitlyn and Matthew Ware, son Grant Linhart (Krystal) and their children, McKenzie, Cassidy, Abigail, and Sophia, his step-children, Charmaine Rausch (Brian) and their children, Crislyn, Jacob, and Brooke, step-son Michael Perkins (Gina) and his daughter Layla Perkins, step-son Nicholas Perkins (Natalie) and their daughter Tenley, Grant's cousin, Pat Brilhart (Robert), 'daughter' of the heart Lisa Shelton, as well as other extended family members. Our family wishes to thank every one of you who have reached out during this difficult time in our lives and are endeavoring to remind us of how your lives were touched by this amazing son, husband, father and friend. There are several planned events to honor Grant. Please see the schedule. Your attendance at any or all will be greatly appreciated. "His Master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master.' Matthew 25:21" Grant E. Linhart December 2, 1944 – April 24, 2022 Thursday, June 2, 2022 – Viewing – Noon to 4:00pm (Rosary at 1:00pm – 1:30pm) Rose Mortuary & Crematory 71555 Highway 111 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 Friday, June 3, 2022 – 9:30am Funeral Mass Sacred Heart Catholic Church 43775 Deep Canyon Road Palm Desert, CA 92260-3164 Rev. Gregory P. Elder, Ph.D., Pastor, presiding 2:00pm - Committal and Burial Service Miramar National Cemetery 5795 Nobel Drive San Diego, CA 92122-5337 Saturday, June 4, 2022 – 1:00pm Celebration of Life! Date Palm Country Club Clubhouse 36200 Date Palm Drive Cathedral City, CA 92234 Grant Edward Linhart