Granvil Grover Rost

He was raised on a farm and attended Greenvine schools and 4-C College in Waco. He served in the US Army as communications chief from 1942–1946, primarily in the Philippines, attaining the rank of Tech Sergeant.

He met Verna Mae Hodel at Latham Springs Baptist Camp, Aquilla, TX, on June 19, 1946. They were married at First Baptist Church in Waco, TX on December 4, 1946. They were blessed with three daughters - Judith, Joy, and Janis.

He worked as cashier for 17 years at Bird Kultgen Ford dealership and as a maintenance mechanic at Rocketdyne in McGregor for 14 years. He and Verna worked as local chapter secretaries for Germania Farm Mutual Insurance for 35 years. He also served on the board of directors of Germania in Brenham, TX for 15 years.

He enjoyed farming and ranching as well as hobbies of building dollhouses and intarsia woodwork.

He and Verna lived on the farm in the home they built for 58 years before moving to Garland in 2012 to be near family.

He became a Christian at the age of 16 at Greenvine Baptist Church. Through the years, he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and a director of Roloff Evangelistic Enterprises. He enjoyed singing duets with Verna as well as singing with his daughters who played the piano and organ. He was a member of Canaan Baptist Church near Crawford.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Evelyn Rost, Betty Kramer, and Dan Rost; twin granddaughters, Megan and Jessica Durkee; and great-grandchild, Cam Allison.

Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Verna; daughters Judith Miller (and husband William) of Little Elm, TX, Joy Pierson (and husband Sam) of Garland, TX, and Janis Durkee (and husband Doug) of Greenville, SC. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Angie Kervin (and husband Rick), Sarah Dever (and husband Chris), Caroline Minnella (and husband Paul), Rebekah Willoughby (and husband Matt), Rob Campbell (and wife Bonnie), Erin Allison (and husband Glenn), Brandon Durkee, Cathleen Melendez (and husband Louis); great-grandchildren (Landon, Cal, Knox, Michael, Max, Jack, Tucker, and Shelby); and sister-in-law Bea Rost.

Pallbearers: Rob Campbell, Rick Kervin, Paul Minnella, Matt Willoughby, Mark Wiethorn, Clarence Engelbrecht

Honorary pallbearers: Jeff Rost, Landon Wolfe, Robert Borchgardt, Mike Burns, Kermit Dreyer, Mike Owen, Bobby Walters, Trent Rice, Brad Schultz, Milton Schmalriede, Jerry Gauer

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, January 28 at Cole Funeral Home in McGregor. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 29 at Canaan Baptist Church with burial in the Canaan Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Canaan Baptist Church Cemetery Association c/o Erwin Blum, 1673 Prairie Chapel Rd., Crawford, TX 76638