MELVIN "Neal" GRANTHAM Jr.

Melvin M. Grantham, Jr. "Neal"  
Lt. Col. Melvin McNeal Grantham Jr., U.S. Army (Ret), of Oxford, MD, formerly of Alexandria, VA, passed away peacefully at his home with family by his side on March 14, 2021.Neal was born on May 17, 1937 in Overton, TX to Melvin and Kate Grantham and grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Neal joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after graduating from the University of Mississippi with a degree in Civil Engineering.Neal met the love of his life, Christa (Chris) Kegreiss while stationed in Ludwigsburg, Germany. They were blessed to share 60 years of marriage and two daughters.Neal patriotically served his country with tours in Vietnam, Korea, and Germany. He was awarded a Purple Heart when injured in Vietnam and received many other distinguished awards including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Army Commendation.Neal is survived by his wife, Chris; daughter, Karin (Richard) Osborne of Oxford, MD, and their children Nicole (Ryan), Christopher (Anna), Ashley, Caroline, Lily; daughter, Suzy (Mike) Schipper of Prior Lake, MN, and their children Grant, Brandon, and Ryan; sister, Elizabeth (Bradley) Sanders of Oxford, MS; brother, Bob (Sandy) Grantham of Prairieville, LA; and sister, Nita Grantham of Corona, CA. Neal was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Kate Grantham, and his brother, John Grantham.A visitation and ceremony will be held on Wednesday, March 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home in Easton, MD. A military funeral will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC at a later date.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Fischer House at www.fisherhouse.org.For online condolences, please visit www.fhnfuneralhome.com