Jeffrey Lee Grandison
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend succumbed to an extended illness at the age of 61 on Sunday, February 28, 2010 in Cedar City, UT. Born in Dennison, Ohio, May 10, 1948 to Marilyn Mae Rectanus and William Grandison, Jr. Graduated with a B.S. degree from Kent State University and an M.S degree from Ohio State University. Married Ilona Basiletti, later divorced but remained friends. In 1982, Jeff married Kate Wing, his best friend and love, with whom he shared a similar mission in life.
Jeff began his career with the Utah DWR in 1972 as a Conservation Officer in the Northeastern Region. He held other positions in the Northern and Southern Regions as Wildlife Biologist and Game Manager, retiring in 2005. Jeff worked in the NERO, NRO and SRO during his career with DWR and the positions he held include Conservation Officer, Wildlife Biologist and Regional Wildlife Manager. Jeff worked in the NERO, NRO and SRO during his career with DWR and the positions he held include Conservation Officer, Wildlife Biologist and Regional Wildlife ManagerJeff worked in the NERO, NRO and SRO during his career with DWR and the positions he held include Conservation Officer, Wildlife Biologist and Regional Wildlife ManagerJeff worked in the NERO, NRO and SRO during his career with DWR and the positions he held include Conservation Officer, Wildlife Biologist and Regional Wildlife ManagerJeff worked in the NERO, NRO and SRO during his career with DWR and the positions he held include Conservation Officer, Wildlife Biologist and Regional Wildlife ManagerA graduate of P.O.S.T., he received the “Top Cop” award. The Wildlife Society recognized him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Jeff worked in the NERO, NRO and SRO during his career with DWR and the positions he held include Conservation Officer, Wildlife Biologist and Regional Wildlife Manager. Many people who never knew Jeff will enjoy the benefits from his accomplishments in wildlife managementJeff was acknowledged for his dedication, brilliance, and many contributions to wildlife management especially the reintroduction of White-tailed Ptarmigan, Desert Big Horn, and Mountain Goats.
Jeff had a passion for all things “outdoors.” An avid hunter and outdoorsman, Jeff spent much of his life in the wild places of Utah… mountains, deserts and rivers. An accomplished horseman, he rode and packed many-a-mile on well-conditioned horses. He could recognize a sound horse gait, the taste of a good elk steak, and could tell a great story with the best of them. Sharing his savvy (and usually salty) wit, his approach to life’s problems became known as “Jeffisms.”
Survivors include his wife, Kate; his children, Leidy (Pieter) Van Ispelen (SLC, UT), Christopher (Jenny) Denne (Ft. Collins, CO), Freya (Mike) Ross (Bozeman, MT), his final buddy, ZIP; 5 grandchildren, Caelum and Eridani Van Ispelen, Katie and Miya Ross, and Topher Denne; 2 brothers, Jock and Kim Grandison (Uhrichsville, OH). Preceded in death by his parents.
Friends and family will celebrate his life this summer near his favorite spot, King’s Peak, in the Uinta Mountains.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jeff’s name to the Nature Conservancy or www.curepsp.org . Condolences to www.swindlehurstfuneralhome.org . Special thanks to Southern Utah Home Health & Hospice and Dr. Ellen Gardner.