Grant Sparrow DeLude passed away peacefully on the morning of July 10, 2021. He had celebrated turning 89 just 2 weeks before.
Grant was born June 24, 1932 to Charles Theron and Grace DeLude in Anaconda, Montana. He was the oldest of three boys. Wayne, who is 4 years younger and Neal who was the youngest.
He graduated from Helena Public High School on June 1, 1950. He joined the Navy in 1950, was stationed part of the time in San Diego and was deployed during the Korean War. Interested in electricity, he started his own business. He was the owner and operator of Helena Motor Repair until his retirement in 2014. He was well-known in the community because of his electric motor repair skills.
In his spare time he enjoyed 4-wheeling, hunting and fishing. He liked tinkering with the Jeep and collecting coins. He kept up-to-date by reading Montana Outdoors, American Rifleman and most importantly, his Sunday comics.
He married Lilly (Red) Fellows Belgarde on August 30, 1968, in Helena. They made their home in Helena. Three years later, they welcomed their first grandchild, who later became known as Bumpski. That began the adventure of grandparenting. On the weekends, his grandkids would sleep over and there are memories of root beer floats or ice cream and watching late night television. He loved the Tizers and accompanying his grandson and son-in-law on hunting trips. He made a yearly trip to Spokane with Red and the grandkids. He made a trip to Atlanta to watch a Braves baseball game in 1997. Later, he spent evenings walking his cherished Yorkshire Terrier – Tazzie.
He is preceded in death by his wife Red, his brother Neal and both parents. He is survived by his daughter Lana (Jim), grandkids Chantal, Nick (Alice) and Andrea (Jeff), great grandkids Lindsay and A.J., his brother Wayne and many nieces and nephews.
The family will have a celebration of life gathering with refreshments at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home on Saturday, July 17 beginning at 11:00 a.m. with Military Honors being performed at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, have a slice of chocolate cake, raise a glass, watch a little baseball or make a donation to Tails as Old as Time or the Lewis & Clark Humane Society.
Special thanks to the staff at The Legacy Assisted Living and Beehive Homes of Helena.
Michael Glueckert says
Grant was a good friend and always polite and generous. We at old mont. power co had great respect for this great man! Rip and tyu for your industry contribution.
Jack Williams says
Grant was always smiling, even when we called him out at 3 am. I always enjoyed working with him. He was a hard working man. And I never heard him say anything bad about anyone.
May he have a great afterlife.
Kathy Royston says
Dear Lana, I’m sorry for your loss. Grant & Red we’re always kind to my brother & I as kids, living with the Pembrokes. Take care. Kathy (Garden)