ROLAND E. GRANT

May 4, 1912 - April 22, 2009
SOUTH BEND - Roland Everett Grant, 96, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, April 22nd. He was preceded in death by Joy, his wife of 52 years. Roland was the last surviving member of a sister, Edith, and three brothers, Robert, Jones and Harold.

He is survived by his three children, Barbara, Carl and Jim; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Roland was born on May 4, 1912, in Hamlet, IN.

He graduated from Central High School and attended the University of Notre Dame. He became a charter member of the Notre Dame Quarterback Club and was still singing the fight song in his last days. During WWII and after, he worked at the Studebaker Corporation and was the assistant superintendent of the South Bend Water Department.

Later in life, Roland was involved in real estate. In the early nineties, he retired to Mount Dora, FL. In the last four years he lived in Lansdale, PA, to be closer to his daughter, Barbara, and two grandchildren. The grandchildren have fond memories of the "Grampa" and his love of travel. Roland's immediate and extended family lived in Alabama, California and Pennsylvania, and he made a point to visit as often as possible. During these visits he would often play card games with his grandchildren, teaching them various games from Crazy Eights to Thank You for Your Bundle, from Michigan Rummy to his favorite games of Gin and Backgammon.

He taught his grandkids phrases like "Oh bologna," which meant he did not believe a word you said, or "Popcorn hand," which meant you basically got lucky with a hand. When he got real riled up, Roland would force everyone to sing the Notre Dame fight song with a real hardy "Rah Rah Rah." Most importantly he taught math to his grandchildren by forcing them to keep score without a calculator (Kind of tough on an eight-year-old). Roland will be missed by his entire family, friends and loved ones but his legacy, humor, and endearing Grant stubbornness will live on in our cherished memories of him.

A celebration of Roland's life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 28th, in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home, 521 N. William St., with Rev. Mary Hubbard of First United Methodist Church, where he was a member, officiating. Burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday in the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 333 N. Main St., South Bend, IN 46601.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Apr. 26, 2009.

01/22/2023 EJS