Winston Grant

WINSTON EMMET GRANT was born in Harlan, Oregon on August 10, 1917 and he went to be with his Lord from Harlan on February 19, 2014. Winston was the oldest son of Leonard T. and Ruth E. Grant. He lived the majority of his 96 ½ years right there on the family homestead, and he lived that life to the fullest. He was a true rancher, which meant that he was a “jack of all trades”. He grew up tending the livestock, and working the land alongside his father, missing his 7th grade year of school to run the ranch while Leonard had to work off the ranch. He grew up hunting deer and elk to help feed the family, and cougar, bear, and coyotes to protect them and their livestock. His horses were his companions, and his transportation. As a young man, “Winnie” was imaginative, and innovative, always tinkerin’ around in a shop. He fabricated a water-wheel to use in “Grant Creek” to charge batteries before electricity arrived. He bought a log truck, using it on the ranch, and to supplement his income. In 1952 he married Ruth M. Davis, of Alsea. In addition to the ranch, they owned and ran the Harlan Store, and Post Office. He was the Postmaster from 1961 through 1968. In 1968, due to health reasons, for their oldest daughter, the family which had grown to 2 daughters; Pamela Kay, & Starla Rae, and 2 sons; Sterling and Timothy, moved to Redmond, Oregon. They bought a small ranch which served as a “satellite” ranch to the homestead, still hauling feed and cattle back & forth “over the mountain”. Winston also had numerous “real” jobs while in Redmond, among them, driving school bus, and working for the State Highway Department. Obtaining his pilot’s license he literally “flew” to work up on the Santiam Pass. He survived a plane crash in 1973, and was always quick to tell you that he was NOT the pilot! In 1979 Winston moved back to the ranch in Harlan. He married Lola Flolo in 1987, and they enjoyed his “retirement” years. He helped out on the ranch baling hay, “wrenching” in the new shop he built, and even herded sheep up in the hills one summer. He loved playing his fiddle. He had been in several Western Bands in his younger years, and now he joined the “Old Time Fiddler’s Association,” traveling the state for competitions and get-togethers. Winston was a devout Christian, and was involved in starting a “Fellowship of Christian Cowboy” chapter. He loved to play his fiddle for The Lord, and he did so at his home church, “The Chapel of the Valley” in Harlan every Sunday he was there, almost to the end. His love of flying took him to the height of owning several planes in his lifetime, and owning and running the Lebanon Airport for two years. Winston also had a life-time love affair with Tractors, owning one of Harlan’s first, which he made himself, before he bought one, and restoring an early model crank start “Allis-Chalmers” at 93. He also had a “show tractor”, which he restored, and a friend drove for him in several “tractor pulls”. He also enjoyed cars. Old cars, new cars, fast Willie Jeeps, etc… He belonged to the “Corvallis Historic Auto Club”, having bought a 1957 Ford Edsel. Winston loved to travel, and to visit people. He was quick-witted and feisty. He will be so missed. Winston was preceded in death by his father and mother, his brother Jack, and his 2nd wife Lola. He is survived by his 1st wife Ruth, Children; Pam McCoy-Grant of Kauai, HI, Starla Sheppherd of Prineville, OR, Sterling Grant of Harlan, OR, and Timothy Grant of Nashville, TN. Step-Children; Mark Flolo and Cindy Gadd both of Camas, WA. He leaves a legacy of, nine grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren. There will be a Celebration of Winston's Life at 1:00 pm, on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at the Chapel of the Valley in Harlan, Oregon. Donations may be made in his memory to, Harlan Chapel of The Valley or Samaritan Pacific Home Health and Hospice.

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Winston Grant

August 10, 1917 - February 19, 2014