Dr. Burton Paine Grant

1931 - 2018

Dr. Burton Paine Grant

Nashville - Dr. Burton Paine Grant, 86, born in Nashville, Tennessee, December 10, 1931, passed from this life into the next on Saturday June 30, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his grandparents A.M. Burton and Lillie Mae Armstrong Burton, his parents Otis Paine Grant and Mizella Burton Grant, and his beloved wife of sixty years, Gloria Dean Napier Grant.

Burton loved learning. He started school in Garden City, New York, attended Peabody Demonstration School in Nashville and graduated from David Lipscomb High School in 1949. He attended David Lipscomb College and Vanderbilt University, during which time (1951) he married Gloria. In 1954 he graduated from the University of Tennessee School of Medicine, the father of two daughters. As a captain in the US Army, Burton was assigned to Fort Gordon in Augusta, Ga. where he remained for his residency in radiology at the Medical College of Georgia.

Burton and Gloria returned to Nashville in 1961, now with four daughters, and he joined the staff of Vanderbilt Hospital. Subsequently with two separate studies at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Burton shifted from diagnostic radiology to radiation oncology under the mentorship of Dr. Gilbert H. Fletcher.

In 1967, he entered private practice. From his early days at Radiology Consultants with Drs. Burt Silbert, Bill Hamilton, Bill Farris, and Grover Smith to the founding of Radiation Oncology Associates with partners Steve Stroup, Marion Bolin, Paul Rosenblatt, and Jim Gray, Burton understood the value of teamwork and compassionate care. He always enjoyed and respected those with whom he worked.

The sentiments of Dr. Jim Gray capture the man we all love: "My fondest memories of Burton have always been of simply being with and around him as we worked. He was always cheerful. His demeanor was always respectful to our patients and our staff. This is not to say that he never became demanding on behalf of good clinical care - he could be quite insistent. But to describe Burton as 'kind' would be the most extreme understatement I can imagine. The picture of Burton that will always be present in my mind is of him walking through the halls of our clinic, clapping his hands on occasion, or humming a hymn from last Sunday in church. I don't ever recall a feeling of panic or urgency, just a calm and 'let's get it done' mentality."

Burton Grant's dedication to excellence helped springboard the development of outstanding clinical oncology and research and the creation of the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute.

Burton was affectionately known as "Doc" by all who knew him. Whether on the golf course with friends, at the beach with family, sharing a good meal around the dinner table, singing the old church hymns, or praying with the "early birds", Doc LOVED community. Boating, flying and ham radio were favorite hobbies. He lived a life full of kindness and generosity.

Dr. Grant is survived by his four daughters and sons-in-law: Kathy and Dan Harrell; Mimi and Jerry Verner, Carol and Jack Nuismer, and Amy and Vince Gill. 17 grandchildren and their spouses: Grant (Francki) Harrell, Caroline (Brian) Epps, Katie (Reid) Murphy, Michael Harrell, Sally Anne Harrell, Logan (Jenny) Verner, Burton (Laura) Verner, Grace (Jimmy) Woods, Mimi (Dan) Stricker, Elizabeth Nuismer, Claire (Brian) Lumsden, Jack (Alexis) Nuismer, Matt Chapman, Millie Chapman, Sarah Chapman, Jenny (Josh) Van Valkenburg, and Corrina Gill. And almost 20 great-grandchildren: Sam, Gage, Georgia Kate, Lanier, Dolle, Gloria, Sara Logan, Mills, Emily, Gus, Daphne, Grant, Elle, Chip, Wyatt, Charlie, Lucy Love, Everly, Madeline and a great grandson on the way.

The family would like to recognize the loving care given to Dr. Grant by the wonderful women who became our extended family-- Juliana Armah, Gertrude "Vice" Glate, and Roberta "Robbie" Turkson. Heartfelt thanks go to Pennie Brooks, Theresa Carrington and Dr. Bob Berkompas at Alive Hospice. In addition to these, a decade of other helpers included Grace Arthur, Emelia Darko, Hawa Dogbey, Shameka Harris, Sandra Hunt, Cynthia Yebuah, Victoria Gooch, Fitnat Carter, Emma Biggs, and Sandra Holmes.

A service will be held Saturday July 7, 2018 at 3pm at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ with a visitation at the church from 1pm - 3pm prior to the service.

To honor Burton, the family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Hope Clinic For Women, 1810 Hayes Street, Nashville TN 37203.

Online Guestbook available @ www.crawfordservices.com.

CRAWFORD MORTUARY & CREMATORY, 615-254-8200