Eugene Grensted

1920 - 2012

Salinas

Eugene Arlyle Grensted

Eugene Arlyle Grensted, better known as Arly, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, April 14, 2012. To all who knew him, he was a gentle, kind and loving husband, father, and friend and he will be greatly missed.

Arly was born in Alhambra, California on June 16, 1920 and was the only child of Eugene and Valmere Grensted. He attended a private school in Southern California and later graduated from Pomona College. After college he moved to Salinas to begin his lifetime career of photography. He is one of the lucky ones who was able to pursue what he loved doing, taking pictures, and turn it into a very successful career. He was first employed as a photographer with Ferry Morris Seed Company and from there established his own photography business serving the Salinas Valley for almost 40 years.

It was there in Salinas where he fell in love with and married Lois Gunnell. They had a beautiful marriage of thirty five years that was full of love and many special memories. Their three children also brought additional joy to their life together. Two years after Lois' death, Arly was blessed to meet and marry another special lady, Beverly Hillard, with whom he shared many travels and six years of marriage until her passing. He often reflected on how lucky he was to have been able to share his life with two wonderful women.

Arly was a strong Christian man and it was important to him to share his faith with his family, friends, and community. He was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Salinas for many years until he moved to Carmel Valley to live at Carmel Valley Manor until his passing. Manor residents will remember Arly for his daily jokes and friendship. He was also a dedicated member of the Salinas Rotary Club and was very active in the Cursillo movement with Lois. Arly was well liked and a respected member of the Salinas community.

When not working, Arly was enjoying life. One of his favorite pastimes was fishing. Many of the family vacations included early morning trips down to a river or on a lake. If he couldn't have his camera in his hand, the next best thing for him was a fly rod.

Arly is survived by his three children, Dale Grensted (Becky) of Sparks, Nevada, Scott Grensted (Carol) of Davis, California, and Diane Weeks (Chester) of Hamilton, Montana and two stepsons Brad Hillard (Londa) of El Dorado Hills and Griffin Hillard (Nancy) of Salinas. Additionally, he is survived by grandchildren Myra Wilson, Christopher Grensted (Larissa), Bethany Haynam (Stephen), Jared Grensted, Kiri Weeks, Shenoa Weeks, Mathew Hillard, and a great grandson Elisha Haynam.

There will be a memorial service held at Carmel Presbyterian Church on Saturday, April 28 at 2 PM. For any donations in his memory, the family is suggesting the Salinas Rotary Charitable Fund, Rotary Club of Salinas, P.O. Box 676, Salinas, CA 93902-0676.