BAZE, Grant Sheridan, Colonel, USMC, Ret., a 30 year resident of San Diego and educator in the San Diego Unified School District died of cancer on November 16. He was 76. Colonel Baze began his distinguished military career in May, 1941. He served as an artillery officer in World War II and saw fierce action in the Pacific, including the battles of Tarawa and the Philippines. He served during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War and other services included battalion commander in Okinawa and Senior Officer School at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He concluded a 27 year career serving as Chief of Staff of both the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions simultaneously, at the request of Gen. Robert Cushman. Since his retirement in 1968 from duty at Camp Pendleton he resided in La Jolla and Rancho Sante Fe. Among his many decorations were the Bronze Star, the Philippines Liberation Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal. He started his second career as an educator with the San Diego Unified School District in 1969 and served for more than ten years before retiring from administration at Clairemont High School. Colonel Baze was an environmental activist and sportsman, serving on Sierra Club committees, as an officer of the San Diego Fly Fishermans Club and member of the Nature Conservancy and the Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Club. His community activities included driving for Meals on Wheels and active participation in the Rancho Santa Fe Library Guild, Historical Society and Garden Club. He had avid interests in philosophy and history which he developed through extensive research and travels, including Egypt, Greece, Italy, France, and China. Raised in Melvin and Brady, Texas, Colonel Baze was the son of Leanora Sheridan Baze and Elmer Alvin Baze. Grant was an honors graduate of the University of Texas and earned his masters degree from Ohio State University in Public Administration. He belonged to Sigma Phi Epsilon, Delta Sigma Pi (Beta Kappa Chapter) and Beta Gamma Sigma fraternities. Colonel Baze is survived by his wife, Muriel Pardee Baze; daughter Helen E. Baze of Clearwater, FL; granddaughter Leslie E. Baze of Columbia, MO; stepdaughter Dana Pardee Kalifa of Redondo Beach; sons Grant S. Baze, Jr. and Thomas D. Baze, both of La Jolla; and stepsons Cole H. Pardee of Encinitas, Peter J. Pardee of Ramona, Jonathan R. Pardee of Solana Beach, and Clay R. Pardee of Oak Ridge, TN. Helen E. Baze, his first wife and mother of his children, pre-deceased him in 1982. Family members recall that "his uncompromising commitment to personal honor and integrity, self-sacrifice and dedication to service and education were an inspiration to all who knew him". Memorial Services will be held at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Chapel at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 29. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the San Diego Hospice.

Military Information: COL, US MARINE CORPS