We regret to announce that Darwin Lee Grant passed away June 2, 2012, and has gone back to live with the Lord Jesus Christ and many family members who have preceded him in death.

Darwin Lee Grant was born June 16, 1927, to Joseph Willard and Agatha Hilda (Fullmer) Grant in Springville, Utah. He is the last of three children born to this couple. Darwin was raised in Springville and attended grade and high school there. Darwin lived with his parents in Springville until he enlisted in the Navy in August 1945 just before the end of World War II. They used to kid Darwin saying that when the Japanese heard Darwin was coming they gave up. He was discharged in August 1946. After military service Darwin also attended Utah State Agricultural College.

On May 6, 1948, Darwin married Mary Louise Rowland also from Springville. They would become the parents of four children, Mara Lee, Kerry Joseph, Patrice and Lisa. On June 18, 1966, Darwin, Mary Louise and their children were sealed together for eternity in the Cardston Alberta Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This event more than any other event defined Darwin’s and Mary Louise’s family throughout the rest of their lives.

Soon after they were married Darwin and Mary Louise followed the rest of the Grant family to North Idaho where they helped to established Grant Construction Company. Darwin worked with W. Jay Grant, his brother in this corporation until his retirement in 1984.

On Feb. 19, 1968, Darwin’s sister Dayma and her husband Melvin were killed in an airplane accident. Their daughter Sidney and sons Brandon and Shaun were then raised by Darwin and Mary Louise.

Darwin was very active in church service and served in many different church callings and positions throughout his life. Those callings included being a councilor to President Claude Welch in the Coeur d’Alene Idaho Stake. He also served the people of Coeur d’Alene as a Bishop in the Coeur d’Alene First Ward.

He and Mary Louise served in three missions in the latter part of their life. Their first mission was as church representatives at the Carthage Jail in Illinois where they explained the history of the jail and the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. Their second mission was as employment missionaries in Spokane where they helped people with employment needs prepare for and find worthwhile jobs. Their third mission was to Palmyra, N.Y., where they also served as employment missionaries. They were very successful in these missionary opportunities. Soon after their mission to Palmyra, Mary Louise was diagnosed with dementia which progressed until her death on March 27, 1998.

On July 6, 2000, Darwin married Vivian Kelly with whom he spent the rest of his life. Darwin and Vivian had many wonderful adventures with Vivian’s daughter Susan (Susie) and her husband Bruce. As a family they enjoyed cruises and travels as well as evenings together. Darwin and Vivian happily served in the Spokane Temple as temple workers where they assisted those who came to the temple to worship the Lord Jesus Christ.

Darwin was called home on June 2, 2012, where he was reunited with loved ones who had passed on before including his first wife, Mary Louise; sister Dayma and her husband Mel Johnson; his brother, W. Jay Grant; and his parents, Joseph (Joe) and Hilda Grant.

Darwin is survived by his wife, Vivian and children Mara Lee Spencer (Randy), Kerry (Pamela Hunter), Patrice Zysk, Lisa Campbell (Gary) and Susie Blinzler (Bruce). He is also survived by Sydney Hanson (Jan), Brandon (Tracie Grimmett) and Shaun. Between all of Darwin’s children, he is survived by 23 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren (and counting). Darwin is also survived by his brother’s wife, LaRee (Swenson) Grant, the last surviving family member of the generation that moved from Springville to Coeur d’Alene.

Darwin enjoyed many activities including flying, hunting, fishing, traveling, reading Louis Lamoure or Clive Cussler books, and he was a dedicated servant of the Lord. He enjoyed watching baseball, football and basketball. On Sunday evenings he enjoyed playing games with his children and grandchildren.

We sincerely hope that you will read and remember Darwin as the wonderful father and husband, and as a friend to many people of Coeur d’Alene.

A funeral service is planned for Darwin at 11 a.m. Monday, June 11, 2012, at the Hayden Lake Stake Center, 2293 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d’Alene, with graveside services to follow at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens. Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please sign Darwin’s online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.