Mr. Samuel ED Edward Grant Sr.

Samuel Edward Grant, Sr. ”Ed” was born March 5, 1926 in Laurel, MS and passed away July 22, 2010 in Jacksonville, FL. After high school he joined the Army Air Corp where he served during the end of World War II. After his discharge in 1945 he entered Mississippi State University. In 1946 he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Alice Barrow. After his graduation in 1950 with a Mechanical Engineering degree he worked at Masonite Corporation in Laurel, MS. He re-entered the Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict until 1955. Ed continued his service to his country as an Officer in the Air Force Reserves until 1965.

In 1960 Ed, Mary and their three children Lynn, Barbara, and Sam moved to Jacksonville, FL. His children remember him as a kind and loving father. He would enthrall the neighborhood children when he worked on his models of chipper mills. He had numerous patents for his designs during his years at St. Regis Paper Company in Jacksonville, FL. In 1975 Ed, Mary and Sam moved to Clermont, FL where they opened a White Auto Store. Several years later Ed went to work at Citrus World, retiring from there in 1990. Eventually Ed and Mary returned to Jacksonville to live near family.

Ed’s favorite pastimes were boating, fishing and playing golf. He also enjoyed photography and found many opportunities to take pictures during his business trips to different countries.

Ed lost his sight from macular degeneration in 1995. However, this did not stop him from enjoying 8 years with his guide dog, Lance. Lance was a great companion to Ed and was loved by the entire family.

Ed’s children Lynn Cain (Thomas Watson) and Sam Grant (Carolyn Pilkington) reside in Jacksonville, FL. Barbara Koehler (Paul Kenneth) resides in Tallahassee, FL. He was known as Papaw to his eight grandchildren Paul Edward Gleason (Tricia Whatley) of Acworth, GA, Laura Anne Branson of Jacksonville, FL, Dawn Alys Richy (William Michael) of Hartsdale, NY, Robert Thomas Cain of Jacksonville, FL, Timothy Watson Cain of Jacksonville, FL, Kayla Michele Grant of Jacksonville, FL, Melissa Amy Koehler of St. Louis, MO and Kenneth Eugene Koehler (Amme) of Colorado Springs, CO. and to his six great grandchildren Patrick Grant Gleason, Jamison Daniel Branson, Preston Murphy Gleason, Mckenna Faith Richy, Haley Koehler and Piper Koehler. He is also survived by his brother Robert R. Grant of Ocala, FL and his sister Nancy P. Tullos of Ellisville, MS.

Ed was ill during the last few months of his life. At the time of his death Ed and Mary had been married for 64 years. Their marriage serves as an inspiration to his family. Ed was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend that touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him.