Grant Bates Child

Grant Bates Child departed this mortal life on July 19, 2023.

Dad was born in Bluewater, New Mexico on November 15, 1930, to Elman Taylor Child and Ruth Elizabeth Bates Child. The family moved back to Utah and settled on a farm in Union. Dad grew up there and learned to work by helping his father on the farm. When he wasn't working on the farm, he blessed his family by hunting or fishing to help provide food for the family.

Dad was born with a great love of the outdoors, open space, blue sky, sunshine and warm weather. The hotter the better.

Dad graduated from Jordan High School and started working at the LDS Hospital, where he met our mother, a sassy little Welsh girl by the name of Sheila Joan Howells. They were married in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple on March 1, 1951. Together, mom and dad raised 6 kids to adulthood.

Dad and mom moved to various locations around Utah. They finally decided to make Lofgreen, Tooele County, Utah their home. He spent the last 53 years of his life there doing what he loved (work). Dad never shied away from hard work. Together, he and mom taught their children life's most valuable lessons - working hard and serving others.

Our father was blessed with an uncanny mechanical aptitude. He could make and build anything from an airplane Valentine's box to building a house. So, us kids grew up knowing our father could fix or make anything.

Dad served in the Air National Guard for over 33 years. He maintained the facilities on the base where he made great lifelong friends.

Dad was born a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings including Sunday school president, ward clerk, ward mission leader, and several other church callings throughout his life. He served on the Tooele County recreation board and developed many recreation sites throughout Tooele County.

Dad left a big footprint on this ol' world with 27 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. When asked of a favorite memory, his response hands down would be the countless hunting, camping and fishing trips, working side by side on various projects, eating ice cream, taking candy breaks and swinging on the front porch where many of life's problems were solved.

Dad was preceded in death by his wife Sheila Joan Howells Child, 2 children David Grant Child and Jeanine Child Taylor, his parents, and six brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his 4 children; JoAnn (Rick) Koller, Steve (Cindy) Child, Sheilamarie Soucie, and Doug (Shelly) Child; 27 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren, along with his brother, Darrel (Charlene) Child.

Funeral services will be held Monday July 24, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Vernon LDS Ward Building. A viewing will be Monday from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment, Vernon City Cemetery.