Grant Jay Richens, 67, passed away January 4, 2002, after a two-year battle with brain cancer. Grant is the son of Vern and Melvina Richens. He was born in Vernal, the 12th of 15 children. He married his sweetheart Cheryl Cooper on May 31, 1957 and their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on June 24, 1965.

Most of Grant's church callings were sports related, from coach to stake athlete director, except his last job as executive secretary to the bishop Kyle Batty, a job that he loved. Grant was an avid sports participant and fan. In high school he played baseball and football until an injury ended his school playing days. He also boxed. Even though he wasn't supposed to participate in sports again after his football injury, he played basketball with Faye Treats basketball team and they won 99 of 100 games played in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah. He won a senior tennis tournament in Vernal, had a bowling team which took first place for many years, he played fast pitch softball as long as there were leagues to play in and even though he resisted for a short time, played slow pitch softball for many years.

In the later years he took up horseshoes, pitching, free throw and three point-shooting, which he did at the Senior games in St. George and at which he won many medals. He also participated in the bowling tournament one year at the Senior Tournament and came away with a medal there. He was playing slow pitch softball with Ken Baird's team at the Senior games also. He loved deer hunting, fishing and camping.

Grant was a hard worker. After working many years as a carpenter, he started his own concrete placement business at the age of 40, he didn't expect his employees to work any harder than he did. He was honest in his business dealings and in life in general. He had the ability to see great possibilities in Business, especially in real estate.

Grant was a kind and generous man with a great sense of humor, a real tease. He loved family life and thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren and watching them grow.

Grant is survived by his wife, Cheryl, two children, Kristi (Rod) Powell and Lance (Helen) Richens, six grandchildren, Malinda (Mindy) Richens, Jessica and Trenton Powell and Jasmine Richens, Julie Taylor, Jessica McCoy, two great-grandchildren McKala Fletcher, Kassidy McCoy, brother and sisters, Hazel Atwood, Clifton (Joyce) Richens, all of Vernal; Bud (Nial) Richens of Ballard; Merlin (Rhea) Richens of Roosevelt and Carol Ebeling of Sunset. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sister, Lila May, Vernon and Mable Richens, Nila Geddes, Barbara Jenkins, Melvin Richens, Stella Searle, Violet Neal and Harold Richens.

Funeral services were held January 7 at the Maeser 3rd Ward Chapel. Burial was at the Dry Fork Cemetery under the direction of Thomas-Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.

-Vernal Express, Wednesday, Janaury 9, 2002, transcribed by Rhonda Holton