Clifford Jess Grant, Sr. of Broadus, Montana, went to be with the Lord Jesus, early in the morning, Monday, August 30, 2021 after a nearly two-year courageous battle with cancer. He was 76 years old.
Cliff found great comfort in his final days being cared for by his family and visited by many family and friends. He and his family are so grateful to the wonderful staff at the Powder River Manor for their compassionate care. Cliff died peacefully in his sleep with his daughter, Sheila, by his side. Connie and Sheila, “my nurses” as Cliff affectionately called them, made it certain that their dad wouldn’t pass on alone.
Cliff was the seventh of ten children and although as a teenager was eager to set out on his own, he had a close and special relationship with his parents and all his siblings. Cliff and his brothers and sisters loved time with each other – whether visiting for a short time, traveling to see each other, or working together day after day.
Family was the most important part of Cliff’s life. He loved being with all his family and especially his grandchildren. He liked to hold babies and enjoyed teaching them things when they were older – and often they’d get to go with Grandpa in the truck and maybe even learn to drive it.
Cliff was entrepreneurial and owned several businesses over the years. Before he was 20, he was set on buying a drilling rig and going into business. He did that and also had a few other businesses but eventually settled into having a few trucks and trailers and hauling for mostly local folks.
Grant Trucking was a good fit for him – he liked to drive trucks and work on them (which was constant). Whatever he couldn’t handle, his son, Elwin, would take care of it. He and Elwin knew they could rely on the other to lend a hand when needed.
Cliff preferred staying close to town and he especially liked helping people – hauling whatever they needed to make their farm or ranch or business work. Cliff was a hard worker and never imagined retiring. Work was a part of who he was, so no reason to give it up.
One of Cliff’s best traits was his sense of humor. He had a dry wit and loved a good practical joke. He had a great smile, an infectious chuckle, and a twinkle in those baby blue eyes. Cliff had a funny story about almost everyone and most of us shared at least one inside joke with him. One was “Hey Dad, I need to get my tires rotated” – and Cliff would say “Well don’t they rotate every time you drive down the road?” Then every time you’d see him, he’d say with a slight grin “Did you rotate those tires yet?”
Early on, the oil seismograph business took Cliff to Utah where a pretty young lady caught his eye. He fell in love with Linda Stearns and they were married on October 2, 1964 in Vernal, Utah. They lived mostly in Wyoming and Montana and had four children: Connie, Sheila, Cliff Jr., and Elwin. After their divorce, Cliff didn’t marry again, but for years he enjoyed the company of his good friend, Betty Torgerson, who was dear to the rest of the family as well.
Cliff was born to Charley Washington Grant and Nellie Mae (Taylor) Grant on July 25, 1945 in Broadus. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers James, Willard, Gene, Bill and Charley Jr, who died as an infant; and his sisters, Esther, Marie, Nellie, and Kay.
He is survived by his daughters Connie (Keith) Bogner of Miles City, MT, Sheila (Mike) Williams of Broadus, MT; his sons Cliff (Kathy) Grant of Everett, WA, and Elwin Grant of Broadus, MT; 14 grandchildren, Ken and Chris Bogner, Logan and Cole Earley, Hannah Herzog, Rachel, Josh, and Rebekah Rasmussen, Jess, Wade, and Luke Grant, and Deven, Colton, and Max Grant; and 5 great-grandchildren, Copen, Colter, Cashtin, Emmersyn, and Corben Earley.
Visitation for friends and family will be Saturday, September 4, 2021 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 5, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Faith Bible Church in Broadus with interment afterwards at Valley View Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
If friends should desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Service Schedule
Visitation
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday September 4, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Sunday September 5, 2021
Faith Bible Church
Broadus, Montana 59317
Service Schedule
Visitation
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday September 4, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Sunday September 5, 2021
Faith Bible Church
Broadus, Montana 59317
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Cliff, Ginger and Jacob says
This is truly a great loss for our community. When asked to lend a helping hand, Cliff did his best at being there ‘yesterday’ and doing whatever a person needed done. On a personal note, Cliff was the best man at our wedding. That pretty much sums up how highly we thought of him….he was the best. We shared personal ‘had-to-be-there’ jokes with each other, always asking me “Where’s your quarters?” and for Jacob: “You got any Merle (Haggard)?” At our wedding, he must’ve thought the song was going on too long, whispering to us, “This is about as long as one of those Marty Robbins songs.” Of course, this was followed by a quiet grin that had us almost breaking out in not-so-quiet laughter. Great memories…..keep yours of him close to your hearts.
Being unable to attend services, our family will be with yours in spirit, raising a glass in a toast to Cliff’s life. Love, peace and comfort to each and every one of the Family. We’ll miss you, Woofy. You’re forever in our hearts, as always.
SALLY ANN BORLA says
CLIFF IS NO LONGER IN PAIN AND HE IS IN HEAVEN NOW–HE WILL BE MISSED SO MUCH AND I’M HAPPY FOR ALL THE GOOD VISITS I HAD WITH HIM SINCE I RETURNED. THANKS SHEILA FOR KEEPING US INFORMED ABOUT HIS ILLNESS AND I KNOW ALL OF YOU WILL MISS HIM FOREVER. GOD BLESS AND PRAYERS TO ALL THE FAMILY.
Maureen Larson says
Dear Connie and Keith,
My sincerest sympathies go out to you in the loss of your father and father-in-law. May you feel the loving arms of our Lord wrapped around you now and in the days to come. God bless and you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Kristie McGill Trimble says
Sheila, Connie, Cliff, Elwin and families. I am so sorry for your loss, I have so many fond memories of him, even when he scolded Sheila and I a few times for our shenanigans. He was a great guy. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Carla & Jay Johnson says
Deepest condolences to the Grant family in the loss of Cliff. Altho we didn’t know him for very long, he was a super nice guy. When he was driving through Ashland, he would always stop at the Club Buffet Bar to say hello to us! He will be missed by all who knew him. God Bless him and may he rest in peace!
Nancy J Stoddard says
Sheila, I know you took such good care of your Dad. Condolences and prayers for the family.
Jane & Les Thompson says
Dear family,
So sorry for your loss. We will all miss Cliff…..Loved his dry sense of humor and his quiet demeanor. Rest in peace dear soul.
Janet Rice says
Cliff will truly be missed in our community. He was always ready for a visit or to help anyone. He hauled a lot of our cattle at one time. Also hauled gravel for my son when he was building roads. A great man. Condolences to his family.
Ron Bidwell says
Many good memories of Cliff growing up. One of the smartest people I have ever met. Will remember him will with a smile.
Linda & Dick Hurley says
We will miss him. I am glad he is no longer in pain. He was a great person,and will be missed alot.
Ray Traub says
Condolences and prayerws for the family.Have known Cliff since high school. alwaqys a good friend willing to do anything for you. Did a lot of hauling for me. Gonna be missed by many.
Patricia Franklin says
Sorry for your loss he will be missed. Rest In Peace!
Bub and Carlene Gaskill says
Condolences to the Grant family.
Dawn Rhoads says
Connie , thoughts and prayers for you and all the families. Take care Dawn
Karen Pino says
Cliff I will miss you. My deepest sympathies for your family.
Veda says
Wow Cliff, you left me. Well tell all your family in heaven Hi. You go with GOD and RIP in my friend. Condolences to his family here on earth.
Levi Mitchell says
Like many, I’ll miss Cliff. I spent many hours visiting with him while unloading coal at the schools over the past 12 years. My thoughts are with his family.
Mary Bordeaux says
I am so sorry for your loss,I Meet cliff 5 or 6 years ago at the Big ski with his Grandson after school. Stopping in for a snack it was Elwins youngest, Cliff said he was his little buddy,I know he will be so missed by all,I also got to visit with him everyday while in the Manor while assisting or cleaning he was always kind,prayers again for your family’s loss💕
Karen Gaskill says
He will certainly be missed by all. Cliff was a “salt of the earth” guy, and anyone could not have had a better friend. I am glad he is not suffering any more, but so sorry for the loss.
Cathy Torgerson Britton says
To Cliffs family, cared dearly for your dad and so enjoyed visiting whenever I was in Broadus. I’m sure mom was there to meet him, rest in peace my friend.
Bonnie Sprague says
Connie and Keith, Sheila and Mike, Cliff and Kathy and Elwin and families, So sorry for your loss! Sending love and light to surround you now in your loss. May your memories support you now in this difficult time. Blessings to you all. I enjoyed getting to know Cliff over the years with him being at many family events together. He was always one to share in a great conversation! May he rest in peace!
bill janssen says
Connie,Sheila,Cliff and Elwin. I’m so sorry for the loss of your Dad. He was a character. Always enjoyed having a beer with him at the Big Sky. My he rest in peace. His legacy will live on with all the children.
Gerald Cathey says
My.condolencea to Cliff’s family. I have been away from Broadus since Cliff amd I left High.School. I always remembered him for his imtelligent wit and His frequent jokes at mornimv study hall at PRCHS..
Gerald.
Rick and Dee Abbott says
Connie and family: We send you our sincere condolences at Cliff’s passing. We pray that God grants you His comfort, peace & solace.
Dave Konkel says
Just seen this. I knew C J Grant drilled shot holes with him and Gary Jones in Green River Utah. He out drilled all of us about every day. He would tell us young drillers how to drill those holes and we worked are butts off chasing him but never beat him. I can remember his silver& black Mack mayhew rig. One hell of a great guy.