Michael Tannehill Grier

1961 - 2023

Michael Tannehill Grier died in Anderson, South Carolina on October 25th, 2023 surrounded by his wife and three children. A memorial service will be held at Freedom Center - South Campus (3235 D L Dr. Anderson, SC 29624) on Friday, November 3rd, 2023 at 2:00pm. The family will receive family and friends from 11:30am until 1:30pm.

Mike was born in Omaha, Nebraska to John Joseph Grier and Mary Virginia Fortune Grier on January 6th, 1961. He grew up in Omaha and attended Westside High School. He enjoyed spending summers water skiing at the family lake house, trips to Kansas City for summer and Thanksgiving vacations, and spending time with his siblings John Grier, John Boyle, Laura Boyle, and Andy Grier as well as his nephew Mike and niece Megan Grier. He studied at the University of Nebraska Lincoln where he enjoyed watching Cornhuskers football and was a proud member of Delta Upsilon fraternity. Mike earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy and practiced as a pharmacist for a short time before returning to the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine to earn his Doctor of Medicine.

While at medical school in Omaha, Mike met his future wife, Monica. They enjoyed double dates for sushi and arcade games with friends, riding bikes, and playing intramural volleyball together. When it came time to match with a residency program, Monica matched first with the University of Florida at Shands Hospital. Although they had only been dating for a short time, Mike somehow managed to match with the same residency program - he knew it was fate. Mike proposed over dinner while Monica was looking forward to the chocolate souffle she had just ordered. In all her excitement, she answered "in a heartbeat," but they left to celebrate before they could enjoy the dessert. Monica counts that day as one of the best in her life, but still wonders about that chocolate souffle.

Two short years after match day while living in Gainesville, Florida Mike and Monica were married in 1996 in Longboat Key. They would go on to enjoy twenty-seven years of love, friendship, surprise anniversary trips, and unwavering devotion. While Mike worked to complete an Anesthesia residency, he and Monica welcomed their first daughter, Kaileigh Anne. As he continued with a Pain Medicine fellowship, they also welcomed their second daughter, Paityn Virginia. Needless to say, he was a skilled multitasker.

Mike and Monica moved to Anderson, South Carolina in 1999 to begin their careers. Mike became a partner in the Anesthesia group at AnMed Health Center and later also became a partner at Piedmont Comprehensive Pain Management Clinic where he practiced Pain Medicine. Through the years, he became a very well respected and loved doctor to his colleagues and many patients in the community. He had a unique ability to make each of his patients feel that he was not only their physician, but also their friend. Beyond treating their pain, he spent considerable time learning about each of them and treating them like dear friends.

Mike and Monica welcomed their third child, a son named James Michael, in 2003 to complete their family. Mike was the greatest father any of them could have asked for. He always made a point to tell them how much he loved them and guided them through childhood and young adulthood in such a way that they knew he believed in them to achieve great things on their own, but that he was right there beside them to help should they need it. He somehow remembered everything he ever learned in school and so was great at helping with homework and science fair projects. He gave warm hugs often and always reminded them that "Dear Old Dad" was in their corner. Above all else, he was a steady beacon of love and support and a constant source of encouragement.

Mike's sense of humor was unmatched. He was a great friend to many and although he rarely made himself the center of attention, he could become the life of the party given the right opportunity. He was always generous with his time and many knew that they could depend on him for help if they ever needed it. Mike carried on the family tradition of spending time on the lake at his own family lake house in South Carolina where he hosted friends and taught his kids to water ski. Some of the family's most cherished memories are of times spent boating on Lake Hartwell, early morning fishing off the dock, and swimming in the pool. Mike had a deep love for family and appreciation for genealogy and tradition. He was passionate about researching his family's Irish and Scottish heritage and passed down countless stories and photos to his children. He was devoted to his family near and far and remained dedicated to keeping up with the lives of those he loved. He enjoyed exchanging stories and photos with his loved ones and sent treasured "this reminded me of you" messages often.

Mike was given a terminal diagnosis in the winter of 2014. He endured countless courses of aggressive treatment and -in a surprise to no one who knew him- surpassed and almost doubled his projected life expectancy. This is a testament to his resilience, strength, and most of all his love for and dedication to his family. He left no stone unturned and, with the help of incredible teams of physicians and researchers, he gave absolutely everything he had to battling his illness. In his family's opinion, he won. He never let his illness subdue his joy or take away from the life he lived. He is the definition of resiliency, strong will, and determination.

It is incredibly difficult to convey the love, admiration, respect, and gratitude Mike's loved ones have for him in one short passage. We will remember him, and hope you do the same, in the following ways: He was a devoted husband who supported and loved his wife above all else. He was the most loving, affectionate, and encouraging father his kids could dream of. He was an amazing friend to all who knew him, a skilled physician who cared for countless patients, and a source of laughter to everyone he encountered. Seriously, his wit was beyond compare and you can thank him for his kids' proclivity for sarcasm. He has been described by loved ones as gracious, kind, caring, generous, resilient, strong, and a man who fought hard for those he loved. Mike Grier was the definition of a family man and his legacy will live on in the hearts of many for years to come.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents John and Virginia Grier, as well as his brother John Grier and sister Laura Muenter. He is survived by his wife Monica; his daughters Kaileigh Marion and husband Peyton; Paityn Sears and husband Gavin; his son James; his brothers Andy Grier, wife Staci and their children; John Boyle and wife Judy; sister-in-law Edelene Grier (John); his nephew Mike Grier, wife Katie and their children; niece Megan Wallace, husband Danny and their children, as well as countless extended family and friends-turned-family.

The family requests that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Tennessee Oncology in Nashville, Tennessee and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.