Grant Walter Eisner

Grant Walter Eisner, born September 25, 1955, in Oklahoma City to Ellen and Stephan, knew a childhood marked by the free spirit of Forest Park. With the endless adventures offered by the creek flowing behind his home and the vast expanse of Twin Hills Country Club as his playground, he would play with abandon until the street lights came on and it was time to go home. Grant also had many memories of his time spent watching and mimicking the antics of the animals at the nearby zoo.

Pleasant Hill was the backdrop of his early education, followed by formative years at Heritage Hall. Vanderbilt University then beckoned. There, he became a proud Kappa Sigma and obtained both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in engineering. A move to New Orleans to take a job with Schlumberger Well Services came next. The time he spent working in the waterways and bayous of South Louisiana gave him fodder for a lifetime of stories, including the story about meeting his future wife, Julia, when a work site visit with Grant was part of her job interview.

Returning to Oklahoma City, he began working for Southwestern Exploration Consultants alongside his father. Marriage and then the birth of his two sons, Taylor and Blake, followed. Drawn by memories of his own childhood summers in Crested Butte, Grant began a new family tradition of summer vacations there. Later, as the boys grew, ski trips to Colorado and New Mexico were added as traditions. Exploring the Yucatán was another much loved adventure, highlighted by hikes through remote Mayan ruins and scuba diving and snorkeling in the pristine waters. Over the years, these family excursions became less frequent but the tradition was resurrected this spring when Grant’s now expanded family all took a cruise to Cozumel.

Grant loved reruns of old comedies, preferring them to the realities of today. He also loved listening to his extensive album collection, played as loudly as possible. In the fall, his favorite activity was Sooner football and, during the winter, you could often find him at Thunder games. Every day had a lunch ritual. Lunch on Mondays with the Downtown Kiwanis Club was a favorite and he also enjoyed participating in all of their civic activities.

He leaves behind his wife Julia; older son Taylor (Alexi), their sons Auden and Kallan; younger son Blake (Kelly); sister Mimi Gray (Mike), and Mimi’s children Justin Becker and Paige Burns.

No obituary for Grant would be complete without mentioning his favorite philosopher, Forrest Gump. Grant quoted him often and in all situations. In recent weeks, his go to quote was “It happens.”

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors with Kent Risley officiating.

In remembering Grant, the family kindly suggests that in place of flowers, donations be made to the Downtown Kiwanis Club, the Oklahoma City Zoo, or a charity close to your heart.