Grant Deward Finley

September 7, 2002 – September 27, 2026

Grant was born on September 7, 2002, and from the beginning, Irene and I were incredibly proud to be his parents. His older brother, Chase, had been an only child for 12 years, and he was very happy to finally have a little brother. Grant brought a new dimension to our family, and his life, though far too short, touched more people than we could have ever imagined.

Grant was an active child, and we kept him busy with sports, family trips, and all the activities that made childhood an adventure. As he grew older, his interests expanded, but one thing remained constant: Grant loved people. He was outgoing, social, and comfortable striking up a conversation with just about anyone, wherever he went. He had a natural ability to connect with people, and he seemed to make friends everywhere he went.

Grant was also an avid gamer. Through online gaming, he developed friendships that extended far beyond his immediate surroundings. He connected with hundreds of people, many of whom became genuine friends. Whether online or in person, Grant had a way of bringing people together.

His interests were as varied as the people he knew. He loved Old Body Style Ford trucks, cars, and motorcycles. He enjoyed going to live bands, fishing, hiking, skeet and target shooting, and shooting a bow and arrow. He was an avid reader and collected comic books. Pick-up basketball was a regular part of his life, and he enjoyed staying active and spending time with friends. Grant was also incredibly knowledgeable about the things he loved. You could talk to him about cars, guns, or just about anything else, and he would speak with a confidence that came from genuine understanding. He wasn't trying to impress anyone; he simply loved learning and sharing what he knew.

After graduating high school during COVID, Grant decided to pursue a trade. His first occupation was learning to repair German automobiles, a path that allowed him to combine his mechanical abilities with his interest in cars and his ability to relate to all kinds of people. For the last two years of his life, he worked as a wholesale plumbing supply salesman. In both occupations, he continued to meet people, build relationships, and develop the knowledge and skills that helped shape him into the young man he was becoming.

Grant's life was not without its challenges. His mother, Irene, was diagnosed with ALS, and she passed away in 2022. During her illness, Grant faced circumstances that would have been difficult for anyone, let alone someone so young. Those who knew him during that time witnessed a young man take on a role that was extraordinarily difficult. He did so with grace, determination, and, understandably, moments of frustration. It was a painful period, but it also revealed a depth of strength and maturity in Grant that was remarkable. He endured the daily heartache of watching someone he loved suffer, and he continued moving forward. Those who knew him could see him growing, finding his footing, and building a future for himself. It is comforting to know that he was making progress and finding happiness in his life.

On September 27, 2026, our world was shattered. Grant was riding his motorcycle in Las Vegas, on his way to the gym to work out with friends, when a driver failed to yield the right of way at Fort Apache Road and Arby Avenue. Grant was killed in the collision. He was just 24 years old.

It is difficult to put into words the pain of losing a son, especially one with so much life ahead of him. Grant was building his future, developing his career, enjoying his interests, and spending time with the people he cared about. He was living his life, making plans, and looking forward to what came next. His life was taken far too soon, leaving an emptiness in our family and in the lives of so many who loved him.

In the weeks since Grant's passing, many people have reached out to share stories about him and to tell us how much he meant to them. As his parents, we knew and loved our son, but hearing these stories has shown us just how far his influence extended. The messages we have received are a testament to the person Grant was and the lasting impact he had on others.

One friend reflected on the time spent with Grant during Irene's illness, describing how Grant took on an incredibly difficult role at such a young age. Despite the understandable frustration and heartache, he carried himself with grace and found the strength to keep moving forward. It was clear to those around him that he was maturing, overcoming difficult circumstances, and moving toward a positive future. Knowing that Grant was finding happiness again is a source of comfort amid the grief.

Another friend spoke about Grant's remarkable knowledge of cars, guns, and countless other subjects. His confidence came from a genuine understanding of what he was discussing, making conversations with him both interesting and memorable. But it was not simply his knowledge that made him special. It was the way he connected with people through those conversations.

One of the most touching reflections came from a friend who remembered the deep conversations they shared about life, relationships, family, and nearly everything in between. Those conversations strengthened their friendship because Grant was an understanding and thoughtful person who genuinely cared about others. He was not selfish; he often thought of other people before himself. To that friend, Grant was simply a genuinely good guy, and the opportunity to call him a friend was something to be grateful for.

Another person described how Grant could see when someone close to him was struggling and would not simply stand by and do nothing. He stepped in. He encouraged people, lifted them up, and helped them find hope when they needed it most. He had a way of making people believe that things could get better.

His coworkers shared a similar sentiment. Nearly everyone at the company felt a strong connection with Grant. He was not just a colleague; he was family. He never limited himself to one particular interest or group of people. He was willing to participate, to learn, and to try something new, regardless of his experience. What mattered most was the opportunity to connect with someone and be a friend.

These stories reveal something important about Grant. His legacy is not defined solely by the things he enjoyed, the work he did, or the knowledge he accumulated. It is defined by the people he welcomed into his life, the friendships he built, the conversations he shared, and the times he showed up for someone who needed him.

Grant had a rare ability to meet people where they were. He could talk about cars and motorcycles, share a hobby, play a game online, shoot hoops, or sit down for a serious conversation about life. He didn't need everyone to share his interests. He simply needed the opportunity to connect. He made people feel comfortable being themselves, and he gave them the sense that they mattered.

As his father, I am incredibly proud of the man Grant was becoming. I am proud of his curiosity, his willingness to learn, his determination to move forward through difficult times, and the way he treated the people around him. I am proud that, even in a life cut far too short, he managed to build so many meaningful relationships and leave such a lasting impression.

As a family, we will forever miss his presence, his conversations, his interests, his humor, and the everyday moments that we once took for granted. Chase has lost his brother, and I have lost my son. We have lost the future we imagined sharing with him, the milestones we expected to celebrate, and the many years we believed we still had together.

But we have also been given a deeper understanding of the impact Grant made during his 24 years. Through the stories shared by his friends, coworkers, and the many people whose lives he touched, we continue to discover new pieces of the person he was. Each story reminds us that while his time with us was tragically short, the love and friendship he gave to others will not disappear with his passing.

Grant was a son, a brother, a friend, a coworker, and so much more to so many people. He was a young man with a wide range of interests, an inquisitive mind, a generous heart, and a genuine desire to connect with others. He showed up for people. He listened. He shared what he knew. He offered encouragement when it was needed. And he made friendships that mattered.

We wish we could have had more time with him. We wish he were still here, making plans, riding his motorcycle, working out with friends, learning something new, and striking up conversations with people he had never met. We wish the world had been given the opportunity to see the man he would have become.

Although Grant's life ended far too soon, the good he brought into the world continues through the people who knew him and the memories they carry. Every story shared, every friendship strengthened by his presence, and every person who remembers his kindness is part of the legacy he leaves behind.

We will forever be grateful that we were given the privilege of being Grant's parents and that so many people were fortunate enough to call him their friend.

Grant, you were loved more than words can express. You will be missed more than we can ever explain. And you will never be forgotten.