Phillip Henking Grant was born December 12, 1934, in New York City, New York, to Clarence Dwinell and Josephine (Bryant) Grant. He passed from this life January 2, 2018, in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Phil always said his life started in Lawton in early October, 1955, when, as a young soldier, he was touring First Methodist Church in search of a Sunday School class. At the last classroom, he stopped, pointed at Frederica Roll Hammond, and vowed, "I'm going to marry that girl!" Though he hadn't met her before, Phil did ask Frederica to marry him as he walked her home from church that night. She said, "Let me think about it." They were married almost two years later on July 13, 1957.

Their married life was never dull! The Army sent his family to Europe twice, and he served in both Korea and Vietnam. In one of his proudest achievements as a Field Artillery Surveyor, he headed a team in Stuttgart, Germany, assigned to recover and replace survey stones lost since World War ll – a perfect job for someone with Phil's attention to detail. Upon their return to the states, Phil became the first NCO to teach at the Fort Sill Field Artillery School.

After his Army retirement in 1975, he started Rapid Home Repair, a small home repair business. Phil continued to learn and improve, as he never turned down a job. His passion for perfection served him and his customers well.

In 1979, Phil went to college. After two years at Cameron University, he went to Oklahoma State University, earning a bachelor's degree in Industrial Arts. He won the competition to design a trophy for Outstanding Industrial Arts Student his first year, then won the actual trophy as he graduated the next year.

He threw himself enthusiastically into anything that interested him – and he was interested in most everything. He painted canvases and buildings, repaired things no one else could, modified all tools, built and remodeled buildings and beautiful furniture, and carved countless wooden figures in whatever style captured his fancy – architectural, comical, geometric, or abstract. He even remodeled his mother-in-law's house based on a magazine photo she had admired. He loved old black-and-white movies (pre-1951, please) and all sorts of music, but romantic Russian classical especially. Phil was devoted to his family, and he loved animals – his cats the most.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Michael Grant, son Malcolm Bryant Grant, son-in-law Frederick Eldon Crosson, and grandson Augusto Frederic  Grant.

He is survived by his wife, Frederica, his son and daughter-in-law, Jon and Cheryl (Converse) Grant, his daughter and son-in-law, Caro and Rev. Eddie Norris, his daughter, Paula Crosson, grandchildren Jason and Aimee Norris, Matthew Norris and Hannah Franklin, Daniel and Helena Norris, Sean and Ashley Grant, Taylor Norris, and Lola Grant, and three great-grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, please remember him with donations to the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra or KCCU Radio, if you are so moved.

Funeral service will be 10:00 am Saturday, January 6, 2018 in St. Paul's United Methodist Church with Rev. Lisa Beavers, Pastor officiating.

The family will greet friends from 5-7 pm Friday at the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.