Richard Grant

1939 - 2026

Richard Grant
September 13, 1939 - February 21, 2026
Richard Blanchard Grant, 86, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2026.
He was born on September 13, 1939, to U.S. Grant and Lessie Eleanor Blanchard Grant. During World War II, while his father was deployed to Africa, Richard's mother passed away unexpectedly. Richard and his younger brother were later lovingly raised by their father and Marcia Marie Newlon Grant, whom Richard loved as his own mother.
Richard grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and graduated from Jefferson High School. After attending Texas A&M University for a year, he transferred to Howard Payne University in Brownwood. It was there that he met and married the love of his life, Lee Ryden Grant.
While attending Southwestern Theological Seminary, Richard pastored First Baptist Church of Andice, Tx. After receiving his Master of Divinity, he pastored First Baptist Church, Dawson, Tx. During these years, Richard and Lee welcomed their first two children, Lori and Chris. Following seminary, the Grants answered a call to serve as missionaries in Florianopolis, Brazil. While serving and living among the people of Brazil, they welcomed their third child, Jonathan.
During their time in Brazil, Richard developed a deep fascination with orchids and birds, hobbies that grew into lifelong passions. The Grant family embraced the culture and community of Florianopolis and formed many lasting friendships.
While on furlough in San Antonio in 1976, doctors discovered a cancerous mass in Lee, cutting their time on the mission field short. The family returned to San Antonio and planted new roots in Richard's hometown. Lee's cancer returned in 1980, and she passed away in 1982, leaving Richard to raise their three children, then ages 16, 14, and 11.
Richard continued a life devoted to service. He served as Associate Director of Youth Alternatives, later as Executive Director of The Children's Shelter of San Antonio, and eventually returned to congregational ministry as Pastoral Care and Senior Adult Pastor at First Baptist Church of San Antonio, the very church where he had grown up.
Richard spent much of his retirement years traveling the world to add new birds to his life list. While at home, he loved caring for his orchids, bromeliads, and succulents. Richard was an avid reader throughout his life, often finishing three novels a week. His curiosity, faith, stubbornness, and deep love for people shaped every chapter of his life.
He is survived by his children, Lori Lee Senter of San Antonio; Christopher Grant and his wife, Hilary of Waco; and Jonathan Grant and his wife, Amy of Waco.
He is also survived by his grandchildren: Grant and Megan Senter; Lee and Hannah Senter; Madeline and Mason James; Jackson Senter; Patrick Grant and his wife Amanda Pope; William Grant; Elizabeth Katherine "Libby" Grant; and Luke Grant; and by his great-grandchildren Florence, Russell, Fletcher, Kenneth, William, Charlotte, and Drake.
Richard is also survived by his siblings, U.S. Grant Jr. and his wife Kitten; Melinda Massey and her husband Ralph; Julie Stevens; Molly Boyett and her husband Mark.
Richard's children are grateful for the exceptional care offered by Sunlight Hospice in his final weeks. A memorial service will be held at San Antonio's First Baptist Church on May 30, 2026 at 10 a.m.
Richard will be remembered for his steady faith, his servant's heart, his love of family, and the countless lives he touched through ministry, mission work, and compassion.