Kerry James Grantham

Kerry J. Grantham, 71, died Wednesday, Nov. 21 at his home in Fulshear, Texas after a valiant struggle with osteo sarcoma cancer. Kerry will be long remembered by a host of family, friends and associates for his love of life, his selfless dedication to his family, and most of all for his steadfast faithfulness to God.

Services will be held Monday, November 26 at 10:00 a.m. at the Williams House, West Campus of Second Baptist Church in Katy, Texas. A reception for family and friends will follow immediately.

Kerry was born on Nov. 30, 1935 in Longview, Texas, the son of James Webster Grantham and Olive Leggett Grantham, both of whom preceded him in death. His brother, Curwyn “Squatrock” Grantham, also preceded him in death. He leaves behind Nan (Laurence) Grantham, his wife of 50 years; a son and daughter-in-law, James Laurence Grantham and wife Robin, of Seattle, Wash. and their children, Amy Elizabeth, Andrew Jameson, Sarah Joelle, and Hannah Marie Grantham; as well as a daughter and son-in-law, Kerryl Ann Frank and Ron Frank of Fulshear, Texas and their children, Mitchell Laurence, Korinne Nicole and Forrest Neil Frank.

A lifelong Southern Baptist who was saved at a young age, Kerry believed that a man’s first responsibility is to ensure a right relationship with God. His passion resulted in his being deeply involved in the work of the local church, whether in Texas, Mississippi or Louisiana. He was first ordained into Christian service as a deacon at First Baptist Church in McComb, Miss. Since then, he has served in local churches as a deacon, Bible Study leader, choir member and in a variety of leadership positions. Most recently, the family has served at Second Baptist Church of Houston, Texas.

Kerry earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mississippi College. There he met Nan Laurence of Laurel, Miss. They were married after graduation and moved to South Texas, where he began a career with Sun Oil Company. They would never cut their ties with their alma mater and returned annually for homecoming activities. He served as National Alumni President, on the Alumni Board of Directors, and was Alumnus of the Year in 1981, being the youngest recipient of that award at that time.

In 1966, Kerry left Sun Oil Company, to take a position with Fidelity Union Life Insurance Company. This was to be the start of a 30-year career in the insurance business, for which he demonstrated remarkable aptitude. His recruitment and management skills were highly recognized, and his agencies with Fidelity Union and later Prudential Financial Services won national recognition. After his retirement from Prudential, Kerry and Nan moved to Houston to be near their children and grandchildren.
Being near the children and grandchildren he loved, he was able to spend much quality time with them. Amidst the frisbee fun, the family piano recitals, the activities, and the games, the thing that the grandchildren will remember the most are his "Foxy and Jacob" cowboy stories -- original with their "GranPop" and each one complete with mystery, excitement, moral lesson, and sound effects. In July a dream came true for the family as they celebrated 50 years of marriage on an Alaskan Cruise together.

The most precious days, however, surely have been the last days of his life, as all the family gathered around him at home. At any moment, one or two, and often all, of the grandchildren could be found by his bedside, totally unscripted--stroking him, hugging him, singing hymns and Christmas carols, or reading scripture verses.

In recent years, Kerry continued to be involved not only in church, but community activities as well. His civic involvement included the Kiwanis Club and serving as a mentor in the Katy Public Schools.

If you ask Kerry’s friends to describe him, many words would come up in the conversation: fun-loving, generous and gregarious are usual examples. But those who knew him best will often add the term “devoted,” whether to family, friends, church, or any person in whose life he was involved. Kerry and Nan had recently celebrated their 50th anniversary at Broadmoor, surrounded by family and friends.

Memorial gifts may be made to Broadmoor Baptist Church, 1531 Highland Colony Parkway, Madison, MS 39110 (www.broadmoor.org); Second Baptist Church of Houston, 6400 Woodway, Houston, Texas 77057 (www.second.org); or to the 50-Year Scholarship Fund at Mississippi College, Box 4005, Clinton, MS 39058 (www.mc.edu).