Parry Lloyd Grant

    In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made at Zions Bank in his granddaughter Courtney Grant’s account she is fighting stage IV cancer and has a couple of small children.  

   Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather with approximately 130 progenitors, P. Lloyd Grant’s  mortal body died on April 12, 2018 at Utah Valley Hospital after having a ruptured aneurysm, at the wonderful age of 89. He passed away peacefully, comfortably, after singing love songs and bidding farewell to several family and loved ones. His eternal spirit entered into the next world, greeted by just as many loved ones on the other side of the veil.
    Lloyd was born on March 2, 1929 in Duchesne, Utah to James Parry Grant and Zella Holfeltz Grant, the second of 5 siblings, during the Great Depression. He came into this life with no worldly goods and carried no worldly goods to the next life, but he gained heavenly riches and eternal glory during this life, which follow him to the next world. Lloyd cherished family, an honest day’s labor, and service to Christ as his main duties and desires. He knew how to save a nickel and even sang a sweet song on his death bed about having a nickel in his pocket, and if you can’t be happy having just a nickel, then you are missing the meaning of life. His motto was “to never spend more than you make, to save a nickel, and at all costs be positive and full of faith, fearing no evil. He sang to all on his death bed “You Are My Sunshine” and “High on a Mountain Top”. Lloyd refused to complain or whine about his station or status in life, or the cards he was dealt. He was content and did his best, stating as part of his last words: “I feel humble and grateful” and then he sang…”so be patient, be glad, be happy you’re a dad!”
    Lloyd was born and raised in Duchesne and lived nearly all of his life in the Uintah Basin. He loved animals, having raised chickens, ducks, turkeys, cows, horses, pigs, dogs, rabbits and various animals on a farm. He loved sports and would sneak in anywhere he could to shoot a basketball. His Duchesne High School basketball team won region when he was a junior (1946, first time in school history) and again when he was a senior (1947). At age 19 he tried out for the Salt Lake Bees and made the team, but had nowhere to stay and no money, so he came home. He was involved in rodeo from age 13 to 22 when he quit after breaking his nose and cheek bone horribly. When he was older, he entered and did well in the Crazy Horse race from Indian Canyon to the Duchesne County Fair Grounds. He loved archery, was like a pro, quitting only after compound bows came on the scene, claiming they were not real archery. He hunted mule deer and elk, shooting the 3rd biggest buck in the State of Utah in 1954, a ten by ten with a thirty-six inch spread. He could plumb, wire electricity, stucco, plaster, do carpentry, masonry, mechanic, and drive heavy equipment. He learned everything by just doing and jumping in. He loved life and lived every moment.
    Lloyd married Morna May Merkley in the Salt Lake Temple on Oct. 16, 1950 and had a wonderful life with Morna until she died in September 2010, being married one month shy of 60 years. They went everywhere together, working, playing, camping, vacationing, and raising kids side by side, attending all functions for their grandkids together.  Lloyd, because he was so devoted to following kids and grandkids in sports, was recognized in 2012 as Fan of the Year for Utah Athletics, after 50 years being an avid fan of High School Sports. Lloyd and Morna were inseparable in life and hope to be so in the eternities. Lloyd loved and respected women, was devastated when Morna died before him, yet was later married to Janet O’driscoll on June 21, 2011, thus filling a huge void. Janet has faithfully cared for and loved Lloyd for these past 7 years and we thank her and praise her for her loving devotion
    Lloyd had several jobs, plastering, then joining the Army in 1950, doing basic training at Fort Lewis Washington, then transferred to San Pedro, California as an airplane mechanic. Upon discharge, he went to work for Hill Air Force Base in Ogden Utah, a short time, then became a Surveyor for UDOT in Duchesne, where he worked for 25 years, spending several years working on Interstate I-15 and then on Highway 40 upgrades. He drove snow plow in Strawberry Valley at the end and retired from the State Road at age 52, and has farmed, gardened, and raised a small head of cattle until he died. He was trimming and mowing his lawn the day before he died, driving his 4 wheeler to see his sister Carol. He loved work and did not believe in having unclean grounds or messes anywhere. He believed in pulling weeds, throwing out the rocks and getting rid of garbage and being morally clean. He was unafraid of death and ready to meet his Maker.
His devotion to God was legendary to his 130 progenitors. He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ at age 8. He received his temple ordinances, fell away from God for 20 plus years, then had a miraculous conversion, and went back to church with his dad and brother Jim in 1972.  He was ordained a High Priest, served on the High Counsel, was a bishopric counselor, then Bishop in 1980 or so, served a mission to Columbus Ohio in 1986 with Morna, served as an Ordinance Worker in the Provo and Vernal Temple for several years, and taught and preached the word of God all the rest of his days. Russel Odekirk, a nephew, once said of Lloyd: “He is the classic poacher turned preacher”. He had many friends and was a dear friend to those whose hands hung down, and he lifted and strengthened others whenever he could. He went to church the Sunday before he died, after traveling from a 9 day trip to Tijuana Mexico. He refused to miss worship on Sunday and was a faithful minister to his home teaching families until his death.
    He is survived by his sons, Dennis Lloyd (Monica) Grant, Daryl Lee (Valenna) Grant, Marlin Jay (Joni) Grant, Tony Reay (Pennie) Grant, his current wife: Janet, two sisters: Carol (LaMar) Thomas and Norma Earl (June) and some 120 other progenitors.
    He was preceded in death by his wife: Morna, his brothers: James and Duane Grant, his grandchildren: Gregory, Shelly and Milan Grant; great-grandchild, Aspen Herbert.
    All who knew or were associated with Lloyd Grant are invited to his funeral on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Duchesne LDS Stake Center.  A viewing will be held at the church from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.  
    Burial in the Duchesne City Cemetery with military honors presented by the Duchesne American Legion, Army Honor Guard, and the Patriot Guard Riders.  
    In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made at Zions Bank in his granddaughter Courtney Grant’s account she is fighting stage IV cancer and has a couple of small children.  
    A lunch will be provided to the family after the graveside services. Feel free to come and partake of this celebration of life.
    Condolences may be shared at www.hullingermortuary.com