Statler Family Obituaries
Grantham, Kelly T.
Kelly T. Grantham, 90, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at his home.
He was born Nov. 6, 1924, in Yount, Missouri, son of Thomas E. and Eva L. Yamnitz Grantham. He and Virginia L. Seabaugh were married June 24, 1949, in Bell City, Missouri. They were married 62 years when she passed away March 1, 2012.
Kelly was an active member of Sedgewickville United Methodist Church, where he served in many capacities.
He served in the 39th Infantry as a rifleman in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1944 to 1946. He was serving in Italy and became a replacement soldier in the Battle of the Bulge on Christmas Day in 1944. He suffered many hardships and dangers. He often spoke of living in fox holes for four months at a time without receiving a shower.
After being wounded while on the front lines, he was treated and returned to duty the next day. He was later placed in General Patton's Hell on Wheels tank division. His decorations and citations include the American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, Victory Medal World War II, Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Bar and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Loving survivors include two sons, Craig Grantham of Palm Springs, California, and Rick (Dixie) Grantham of Jackson; four grandchildren, Tyler Grantham of Dallas, Hunter Grantham (fiancee, Hailee Deckard) of Patton, Missouri, Angela (Matt) Sherwood of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Amanda (Charles) Lymangood of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; and four great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Jeffrey Grantham; a brother; and two sisters.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Pam Ekey officiating. Interment will be in Russell Heights Cemetery with military honors conducted.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Jackson Senior Center or the American Cancer Society.
Printed in the Thursday, March 12, 2015 edition of the Southeast Missourian, Cape Girardeau, MO.
©2015 by David Statler of StatlerWeb