Grant Ryan Daley

AUGUST 19. 1997 – DECEMBER 28. 2020

“DO NOT GO WHERE THE PATH MAY LEAD, GO INSTEAD WHERE THERE IS NO PATH,

AND LEAVE A TRAIL.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sixth generation San Diegan, Grant Daley, always had a twinkle in his eye, a broad grin from ear to ear, an infectious giggle and an endless supply of bear hugs for both his friends and family. His loving nature was embodied in his 6’4” stature, and his kindness to those in need was apparent at an early age.

Grant always looked out for the underdog his entire life. At his 2400 student body Middle School, Grant befriended an autistic student who was struggling in phys ed. Seeing the lonely young man, Grant started walking with him. Slowly, others took the cue from Grant joining them. Once a year an Outstanding student is selected to receive the School’s humanitarian award: Grant was the recipient that year.

Grant passed away suddenly from a brief health issue, leaving behind his beloved family and friends. But Grant, an old soul, lived his life fully and in his 23 years of living, filled every day with meaningful relationships and activities.

Grant was passionate about life and was well rounded in his interests. He loved baseball from an early age, starting t-ball at age 4, playing into high school. As a freshman he was pitching JV for the powerhouse Grossmont High School team. That year they won league and Grant was honored receiving the Pitcher of the Year award.

There was a brief stint in football but Grant didn’t have the killer instinct, instead preferring to joke with the opposite team, not tackling them.

He loved to cook, catering his older brother’s bachelor party and even ventured into baking, creating an intricate Star Wars cake (he loved everything Star Wars) with his Grandmother Marie’s help.

He started buying and trading comic books at an early age, accumulating a wealth of knowledge and creating an extensive collection.

He had a passion for guns and weaponry, and extended this love participating in Renaissance Fairs and performing medieval dueling reenactments.

He was a jack of all trades and loved puttering and creating in the garage with his father. He spent one summer at Cyclevision Motorcycle shop learning how to do a ground up restoration of a Honda

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motorcycle he discovered in total disrepair at his family’s Jamul ranch. Under the tutelage of his grandfather’s friend, Randy Aron, who took him under his wing, several months later he was ecstatic as he rode his newly restored bike home.

Grant’s calling though, was helping others. He had a lifelong friend, who at the age of 11, had had a stroke. Grant would pick him up regularly so his friend was included in their gatherings.

He was passionate about his involvement in Young Life. As a YL Leader the past 5 years, he worked with kids who were struggling with life, even with no food. He would go with his parents to buy food for those in need and drive kids to activities offered by Young Life, inspiring them and giving them hope of a brighter future. He solicited funds from his father and Uncle Jeff so that 18 kids could have transportation to northern CA to a YL camp that changed their lives.

Grant was an inspiration to get “Outside of Self”, committing a minimum of 3 days a week after working all day and attending class online to helping at Young Life. His kind nature extended to random acts of kindness: picking up dinner one evening prior to Christmas, realizing his server didn’t have money to buy a gift for her young son, he gave her what he had in his pocket.

Raised in El Cajon, Grant was a 2016 graduate of Grossmont High School. As a senior at SDSU, Grant was also working full time at his father and uncle’s company.

He leaves a family who was blessed by his grace and love: parents Lisa and John Daley, Jr. of El Cajon; brother Nicholas Daley (Jaelyn) of El Cajon; great-grandmother Toni Daley of San Diego; paternal grandfather John Daley (Gina) of Rancho Santa Fe; paternal grandmother Deborah Daley of El Cajon; maternal grandfather Gary Bunday (Carol) of Hot Springs, AR; maternal grandmother Marie Bunday of Santee; uncles Jeffrey Daley (Jenna) of Encinitas; and Gary Bunday (Charmy) of Santee; aunt Monica Samuel (Robert) of San Diego; and cousins Spencer and Mackenzie Samuel; Hannah and Connor Bunday; and Braeden, Kylie and Jayden Daley.

A celebration of Grant’s life will held outdoors Friday, January 8th at 1:30 p.m. at the Journey Church, 8363 Center Drive, La Mesa. Masks and social distancing will be practiced.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Grant’s memory:

Young Life Mission Trails, Attention Chelsea Parker-Montgomery, 8738 Dallas St, La Mesa, CA 91942 or on their website: http://giving.younglife.org/MissionTrailsYL,

Or to the Journey Church, 8363 Center Dr., La Mesa 91942.

Grant’s life was short lived but his footprint is large. A happy young man, his spirit is with those of us whose lives he touched