Grant Lee Sr.

A cowboy’s cowboy, Long time Show Low, Arizona resident, Grant Lee Sr passed away on Sunday, June 5, 2016.  Grant was born on August 15, 1927 in Young, Arizona to Oscar and Molly Lee.    Grant lived his early childhood in Oak Creek, near Cibecue.  Oscar and Molly raised their children and Grant was the eldest child and they lived off the land living primarily on native plants and animals.  The boys hunted deer, elk, turkey, quail and other game.  The women and children gathered wild fruits, nuts, plants, roots and quail eggs.  The salt needed to sustain them also came from the salt banks of the Salt River.    In his teenage years he worked on the Q Ranch in Young, Arizona and the 5 Slash Ranch near Globe, Arizona.  He also rode race horses for the owner of 5 Slash ranch.   By age 14 Grant was already a cowboy and began competing in calf roping in Young and Payson, Arizona when he realized there was money to be made.  He roped along with his brothers who would eventually become known all over rodeo country as “the Lee Boys”.  He roped with brothers Van, Riley, Peter and Mosiah.  Their ability in the arena and out on the range was taught to them by their Father.   His absolute love of a horse, was Coke, a big red sorrel quarter horse that he bought from Doy Reidhead.  He trained coke for roping and bulldogging, and didn’t let anyone ride him except his brothers.  Coke paid for himself at the first rodeo they ever entered, and together they were a team and competition they did welcome, and he always paid high regards to that horse, because it was through their teamwork they won and the winnings went to support his family.   As for departing this life, perhaps Grant left on that day to rejoin his sweetheart Pearl in Heaven so they could celebrate their Anniversary which is June 8, as they married on that day in 1950 in Globe, Arizona.  The life he shared with his wife was founded on the principals of teamwork, love, and enduring hardships and good times with humble hearts and being thankful for what the Good Lord provided whether it was a new day, or a lesson.   Together, they made Show Low, Arizona their home.  Their life in Show Low spans 69 years.  Together they raised eleven children, and took in many grandchildren to show their love for them reminding them to always remember the foundation of love, faith and prayer and that despite challenges, and weaknesses God would always know what is in your hearts and that every person is a work in progress because God has a plan for each person.   Grant’s work included being a Farmer, Rancher, Lumber Grader and Rodeo Man to provide for his family.  Farming and planting not only for his own family, but for others as well, and he did it willingly because he knew that service unto others was service to your God.  His love of cattle, took him to many fences he mended, and it was the cattle that would sustain his family when times got tough.    Grant Lee Sr., worked at Burros Molding Company in 1959 in Phoenix, Arizona. As a Lumber Grader, majority of this work was through Reidhead Lumber Company.  He drove the company hyster every day, making sure the lumber was at superior grade so that the business would continue.  His skill in grading lumber and working with timber was refined to a level that he was asked to help out other Lumber companies in his later years (after Reidhead Lumber Company stopped its operations )to guide others on what to look for in grading lumber.  He took this duty seriously, because it was important to him.  He could look at knots on a tree and tell how it would end up in its grade.  He also worked another job to support his family by serving as a Security Guard in McNary, Arizona for the Lumber mill there.    Looking back on the life of Grant Lee Sr. - he truly was a servant in many ways and he did it willingly, without question.  He worked and served others.   In later years, Grant and his wife enjoyed their time working for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in serving the community of Cibecue.  He was the Branch President.  Every Sunday they traveled 50 miles or so for services.  The little church in Cibecue served the community to welcome all, and make them feel welcome.  The Church is still there, as are the members, but Grant’s teaching legacy will live on.   He stressed that people needed to pray every day, and a prayer in your heart would carry you through your toughest moments and joyous occasions.  Also, as long as you try each day to try to be better, it would count for good.   His life was a true statement of service, and he had an abiding love for others.  He did not have favorites in children or grand children, because he loved everyone just the same.    As we reflect on his great life, we know of the challenges, obstacles and hardships he overcame to become the man he was.   His wise counsel, love, wit and true grit will be missed by all who knew him and he stood as a remarkable example of selflessness, charity and humility and will be greatly missed by all.   A viewing for Grant Lee Sr., will be held from 5:00-9:00 P.M. Friday, June 10, 2016 at the Downtown Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 300 N. 11th Street, Show Low. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 11, 2016 also at the church with an additional visitation to be held from 9:00-10:45 A.M. Interment will follow in the Show Low Cemetery, Show Low.   Grant is survived by his brother and sister, Mosiah  and Ameda; his children, Phoebe, Gwen, Isaiah, Mike, Grant Jr., Holyan, Gina, Naveen, Gwendena and raised a grandchild, Rhiannon who he considered his own, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended families.   Grant was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl Lee; brothers, Van, Riley and Peter and sister Marie; sons, Robert and Hugh.   Thank you to all who knew Grant and shared your time with him in your own way.  He knew no stranger really and always kept a prayer in his heart for his friends, family and even strangers.  One can only imagine the twist of fate, as Coke his horse met him at Heaven’s gate alongside his sweet companion to pick up this cowboy and ride into eternal rest, a cowboy who finished his earthly test.