Obituary for Larry Grantz

Larry Eugene Grantz, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Marland and former mathematics professor at Northern Oklahoma College, resident of Ponca City, went home to be with his Lord April 17, 2014, he was 67.

Larry was born on October 3, 1946 to Luther James and Alvena Fern Grantz in Wichita, KS. He graduated in 1964 from South High School in Wichita, KS. Larry joined the Navy in 1966 and served as a radioman on the USS Oriskany, USS Handcock and USS Coral Sea based in San Diego, CA. He served with the navy until being honorably discharged in 1970. Larry married Marian Elaine Ellis on June 22, 1968 in Buffalo, NY, and they raised three children together James Leslie, Jennifer Elaine, and Lori Elizabeth. After serving in the Navy, Larry Graduated from NOC, then OSU with a bachelors in drafting and design, then earned a master’s degree at Middle Tennessee State. Larry started teaching in Columbia, TN at Columbia Community College from 1974-1978. His teaching career next took him to Rose State College in Oklahoma City from 1978-1981. He then made his home in Tonkawa, OK where he taught Drafting and Design, and mathematics at Northern Oklahoma College.

Larry met his wife, Jeanne, at the insistence of a mutual friend, Beverly Loney, on September 1, 2000. They were inseparable upon meeting, and later married on December 23, 2000 by Pastor Larry Nigh at Northeast Baptist Church in Ponca City. Larry and Jeanne made their home in Ponca City and shared a love of teaching, classic cars, camping, and Oklahoma State Basketball. He retired from teaching at Northern Oklahoma College in 2011 and followed a calling to serve the Lord full-time, serving as the Pastor of Marland Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Jeanne Grantz, of the home; brother, Ron Grantz of Valley Center, KS; children: James Leslie Grantz and wife Vickie of Enid, OK; and Jennifer Campbell and husband Gilbert, Grandson Grant of Maryville TN; Lori Holladay and husband Bobby, Grandsons Hunter and Landon and Granddaughter Ellisabeth of Trumann, AR and many friends, and fellow motorcycle riders. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Dakota Levi Cowan.

A visitation with the family present will be 5-7PM on Monday, April 21 in the Trout Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel. Memorial services will be held at 11:00am, April 22, 2014 at Eastern Heights Christian Church in Ponca City, Oklahoma with Danny Cox officiating. Honorary Casket Bearers will be the Gold Wing Riders, The Vietnam Veterans, and American Legion Riders Post 14, who will escort the family to the church.

Contributions to memorialize his legacy may be made to the Marland Baptist Church, 503 N Main St, Marland, OK 74644.

Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Source: Trout Funeral Home