Wesley W. Grape

Born in Madison, South Dakota on March 25, 1930

Left us at the “young” age of 83 in Chula Vista, California on April 13, 2013

Wesley Willard Grape was born in Madison, South Dakota on March 25th, 1930 to Eric and Rachel Grape. Wesley and his two older sisters Elizabeth and Alice lost their father and mother at a very young age. This event bonded these three siblings in an amazing way for their entire lives. Both of his siblings preceded him in death with his eldest sister Elizabeth passing away from us just last September. Times were tough in South Dakota in the 30’s and Wesley lived in several foster homes before his dear cousin Mariam Romsdahl packed him up and drove him west to Washington State. She was just a teenager herself and Wesley was always indebted to her for her kindness during this season. Not long after moving to Washington State, Wesley was taken into the home of his dear aunt and uncle (“grandma and grandpa”) Walter & Hulda Romsdahl where he was raised as a son until he grew into the caring adult we all have loved.

In 1951 Wesley met and married the love of his life, JoAnne. The young couple settled in Edmonds, Washington and soon began a family. Their three children, Curtis Wesley, Cynthia JoAnne, and Patricia Marie were all born in Edmonds. Their early years were filled with weekend camping trips, hikes in the woods, hunting, fishing, and a home full of laughter and love.

Wesley spent most of his career as an Engineer working for Aerospace companies. In Seattle, he worked for Boeings Aircraft. His children were brought up to identify the aircraft lined up on the runway by the shape of its tail. In 1967, Boeings sent the Grape family to Southern California where Wesley worked as a representative for Boeings at Rohr Industries in Chula Vista. This began the adventures of the Grape’s and their travels. Wesley loved to travel. His theme song was “On the Road Again” and the Grape’s often felt like “the band of gypsies moving down the highway”. In 1970, their eldest son headed off to the University of Washington while the family in Chula Vista packed their bags and moved East – far East to Tehran, Iran where Wesley worked at IACI as a management employee of Northrup Grunman. Wesley’s profession and travels took his wife JoAnne and for several years his children on many adventures in many states and many countries. His wife would know when Wesley would bring home pamphlets from another place that she was being ‘prepped’ for a new adventure.

Wesley finally settled back home in Chula Vista, California and later retired as an employee from Rohr Industries. Wesley and JoAnne enjoyed retirement in Ramona, California and later in the Eastlake area of Chula Vista.

Wesley was loved by all who knew him. He will be dearly missed by his sweet loving wife JoAnne, his children, his grand-children (Destiny Grape Perry, Lauren Winchell, and Eric Winchell), his great-grandchildren (Kole Tracey and Wesley Alan Winchell), and many nieces, nephews, and extended friends and family.

We Love You WESLEY WILLARD GRAPE; aka “Boof”, “Daddy”, “Pops”, “Honey”, “Grandpa”, “Wessy Bessy”. You will always be a part of us and we will always feel your love with us.