Grant Larsen Wilson 09/16/1925 – 01/03/ 2019 Grant Larsen Wilson, age 93, died peacefully at his home in Clearfield, Utah surrounded by loving family on Thursday, January 3, 2019. He was born September 26, 1925, the fifth son of loving parents who were faithful in the gospel of Jesus Christ—Thomas Ross Wilson and Alice Cloe Wilson. He was raised on the family farm in Alta, Wyoming.
Grant learned to work hard and at an early age drove a team of horses during haying season. He grew up loving learning, sports, music, and played the cornet in band, in the military, and on his mission. He graduated valedictorian of his high school class.
Shortly after graduation, he joined the Army Air Force and served from August 31, 1943 until he was honorably discharged, April 24, 1946. In November of 1946 Grant was called to the Northern States Mission, during which he served as the supervising elder for the state of Indiana. On July 3, 1948 in Warsaw, Indiana, he first met Sharol Joy Duffin, another missionary serving in Indiana.
He was released December 1948, enrolled at Utah State University, and began a correspondence with Sister Duffin. When she returned home, November 1949, they became engaged. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on March 17,1950.
After graduating from the University of Utah, Grant and Sharol moved to Alta, Wyoming where Grant began teaching U.S. history, world geography, and typing at Teton High School and farmed during the summer. He and Sharol, with the help of Rex Rigby and Willard Morgan, built their home in view of the Tetons. In 1957, Grant decided to return to the University of Utah and earn his Master’s degree.
He then became principal of Teton High School from 1958 until 1966. In the fall of 1966 the family moved to Orem, Utah where Grant attended Brigham Young University to obtain a Doctorate of Education degree. He was then selected as Teton School District Superintendent and served in that capacity from July 1969 until his retirement in June 1988.
After serving faithfully in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for many years, Grant and Sharol fulfilled a life-long dream of returning to the mission field together. Over the next ten years (1988-1998) they served in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Germany, and served two missions in the Swiss Temple where he served as a sealer and in the Temple Presidency. They returned home and served in the Idaho Falls and Rexburg Idaho temples.
Grant felt so privileged to perform temple sealings for some of his grandchildren. He spoke at many, many funerals of friends and family. He was a voracious reader, and well known for his cheerfulness, sharp wit, and could quote numerous stories, poems, and jokes, which he did daily until his death.
Grant is survived by his ten children: Karen (Stan) Pool of Provo, UT; Lorin (Liza) Wilson of Alta, WY; James (Sandy) Wilson of Alta, WY; Pamela (Lance) Wood of Bountiful, UT; Debra (Mark) Altom of Layton, UT; Robert (Yara) Wilson of Pleasant Grove, UT; Suzanne (Mike) Hall of Lindon, UT; Steven (Natalie) Wilson of West Haven, UT; Cynthia (Jason) Walker of Tetonia, ID; and Kevin Wilson of Bountiful, UT. He is also survived by 51 grandchildren and 85 great grandchildren, sisters-in-law Janet Wilson, Janice Wilson, and Marge Duffin, and stepbrother Charlie Rigby. He was preceded in death by his sweetheart of 66 years, Sharol Joy Duffin Wilson, his parents Thomas Ross and Alice Cloe Wilson, stepmother, Elsie Rigby, siblings Ralf, John Mark, Clyde, Wayne, Merrill, and Suzanne; Rigby step-siblings Grant, Macell, Ross, Noel, Clark, Price, Elsie, Rex, and two grandsons, Timothy Wilson and Derek Walker.
The family would like to thank all those at Chancellor Gardens and Comfort WoRx Hospice for their tender care in his last days. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Driggs Idaho Stake Center, 221 N. 100 W., Driggs, Idaho. Friends may visit with family Friday, January 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the stake center.
Burial will be at the Pratt Cemetery in Alta, WY.
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