Grant Maw

Grant Streeper Maw

August 18, 1926 ~ December 6, 2020 (age 94)

Grant S. Maw passed to the next life with his family at his side on Sunday, December 6, 2020. He was greeted with much love and joy by those who had gone before. Grant left behind his earthly loved ones and, thankfully, the wheelchair that confined him for nearly 30 years. Despite his struggle with FSHD, a form of muscular dystrophy, Grant never complained and never stopped doing his best to live life to the fullest and "carry on." His example of unconditional love and enduring trials with faith, courage, and a constant smile has left a legacy that will long impact the life of his posterity and all that knew him.

Grant was born in Ogden, Utah, to Glen Jones Maw and Ethelyn Anna Streeper, the eldest of two sons. His brother Lowell preceded him in death in 2015. He graduated from Ogden High School and went on to earn Bachelor and Juris Doctorate Law degrees from the University of Utah. In 1944, he was drafted into the Army, serving in World War II for two years and then honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his service, he earned many medals, including the Bronze Star, while serving at General McArthur's Headquarters in Manila and Tokyo. Grant's service to his country continued with a career as a Patent Lawyer in the JAG office at Hill Air Force Base. Additionally, he practiced law privately and served as a part-time federal magistrate in the Department of Justice. Grant also taught Business Law evening classes at Weber State University.

As a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he held many positions that included Ward Clerk, 70's Quorum President, Ward Mission Leader, Employment Specialist, and more. Grant served several missions for the Church. The first was in Toronto, Canada, in 1948. He was serving a mission in the Ogden Spanish Branch when he met his wife, Mildred June Hurst, in 1957. In 1982, he and Mildred served in the Baton Rouge Louisiana Mission. He regularly shared his testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel and eternal families.

Grant and Mildred were married on May 29, 1958, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple and spent their married lives together in Ogden, where they raised their three daughters. He was active in civic service, including the Sons of the Utah Pioneers.

Grant will fondly be known for his creativity and love of writing. His highly imaginative, impromptu bedtime stories are still vivid decades later in the minds of his children and grandchildren, who will pass them on for generations in a book he authored for his descendants. He spent hours a day writing. These included stories about dinosaurs, magic, monsters, and fantasy. Treasured writings for family include analyses of Zenos from the Book of Mormon and Giants in the Old Testament.

On the day he passed, he perfectly recited some of his favorite poems to his family, The Owl and the Pussy Cat, The Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat, and Wynken, Blynken, and Nod. We imagine Dad sailing on that river of crystal light into a sea of dew. This Christmas Eve, memories of his recitations of Santa in an Uptown Flat and A Tale of John Henry Paul Brown will warm our hearts.

Grant was a child at heart for all of his 94 years. Some of our favorite memories include his expert singing and harmonica playing. We fondly remember his versions of Turkey in the Straw and the Big Rock Candy Mountain.  In his youth, hiking Ogden’s mountain ranges and spending time in nature occupied much of his free time. In later years, he would play dominoes, rook, and scrabble for hours with his family and grandchildren. The latter remember trips to neighborhood parks and especially, Farr's Ice cream as highlights to their visits. But most important was the time he spent listening and enjoying the company of family and friends.

Grant's Patriarchal blessing states his purity and sweetness of life, which touched and inspired all that knew him through his generosity, kindness, sense of humor, wit, courage, and perseverance. His life of service to others is an inspiration to all.

The family would like to thank the many aides and healthcare professionals who served him lovingly during the last years of his life. We especially want to thank Harmony hospice for their loving care in his final days - Devin, Emily, and Blake "his buddy" (who was his aide for over ten years). Many caregivers, too numerous to name, have become dear friends who visited him regularly, including the last day of his life. We love and thank them for their service.

Grant is survived by his wife, Mildred June Hurst, and their three daughters, Meridee Theresa Maw Calder (Glen), Cynthia Ann Maw, Jeanette Maw McMurtry (John); 8 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Ethelyn, and brother, Lowell.

Some of Grant's last counsel to his family was to "Be Happy" with whatever life brings. The following quotes embody his philosophy.

"The grand essentials to happiness and life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."

Joseph Addison, English Poet and Playwright

"If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else."

Chinese Proverb

“Perhaps the most essential of a father’s work is to turn the hearts of his children to their Heavenly Father. If by his example as well as his words a father can demonstrate what fidelity to God looks like in day-to-day living, that father will have given his children the key to peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come.”
-  Elder D. Todd Christopherson

Shine On! Dear father, your light will guide us forever and always. #LightTheWorld

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Saturday from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Ogden City Cemetery.

Services will be livestreamed here at the bottom Grant’s obituary.

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