Thomas William Grassley

Our beloved husband, father, and Grampy, Thomas (Tom) William Grassley, 73, passed away on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, surrounded by his wife and children.
Born on August 29, 1952, in Burbank, California, to Carl Louis Grassley and Alice Marie Kinsman, Tom grew up in Woodland Hills with sun-bleached blonde hair, playing baseball in the street, collecting baseball cards and hitchhiking to the beach to surf.
Tom served an LDS mission in Chicago, graduated from BYU with a master's degree in Business Communications and wrote the book Understanding Patriarchal Blessings. He was a gifted writer, and we all wish he could've written this obituary himself so he could make you laugh out loud, or that we could at least send it to him for editing but we're doing our best in his honor.
Tom was an entrepreneur from the beginning, quickly learning he couldn't work for anyone else. He shared that life with his sweetheart, Susan (Sue) Marie Towse. Together, they started PartyLand, beginning with a small balloon stand in the mall and eventually growing it into six stores. They also owned a sticker store, a pizza shop, a movie rental business and a liquidation center. Even after retirement, Tom's entrepreneurial spirit never slowed, he was still buying and selling baseball cards right up to the end.
Tom's greatest joy in life was his family. He was endlessly proud of his three children-Ryan Carl, Stefanie Marie, and Troy Thomas-and passed down his sense of humor and blonde hair to each of them. As "Grampy," Tom was absolutely adored by Sofia, Viya, Sam, and Leon. He built endless LEGO sets with them, chauffeured them on scooter rides around the grocery store and on around the world trips, and always had a box of Red Vines to share. He hosted legendary neighborhood 4th of July firework shows, made the best Sunday nachos, and planned unforgettable family vacations that brought everyone together year after year.
Tom was always a great teacher and a natural entertainer. He taught both youth and adults in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a remarkable ability to connect with people and turned even the most mundane meetings into laugh-out-loud comedy hours.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Kenneth Gilbert Towse and Maxine Ruth Johnson; his brother-in-law Richard McKean; and several beloved nieces and nephews. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Susan (Sue) Grassley; his children Ryan (Lidia), Stefanie (Rasmus), and Troy (Liz); his grandchildren Sofia, Viya, Sam, and Leon; and his sister Sandy Sandstrom McKean.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at 1785 East 400 South, Springville, Utah, with a luncheon for family and close friends to follow. There will be no viewing, just a gathering for us all to share his laughter, LEGOs and licorice.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Utah Food Bank (utahfoodbank.org) in Tom's honor and send your memories and stories about Tom with us here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZfaky1xg2H0SOS8mkglJ89-Y8r5snuWoELn6hC75dCBsRgg/viewform