Walter Burton Grant
January 18, 1934 ~ April 7, 2014
Southern Pines NC
Walter Burton “Burt” Grant, 80, of Southern Pines, passed away on Monday, April 7, 2014 after an extended illness. He was born January 18, 1934, in Atlanta, GA to Elvin and Mary Grant, who have preceded him in death. Burt grew up in Wilmington, NC where he attended New Hanover High School and was an accomplished all American athlete playing football, basketball and baseball. Two of his fellow team mates, Sonny Jurgensen and Roman Gabriel, went on to illustrious careers in the NFL. Burt always said that his claim to fame was relegating Sonny Jurgensen to second string. It was rare seven decades ago for a sophomore to start on the varsity, especially at quarterback. Grant’s legacy at Hanover High is of quarterbacking the Wildcats to the state 3A title – the highest classification at the time – in 1951.
Burt then went on to attend Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia on an athletic scholarship where he also played and lettered in football, basketball and baseball. During his second, third and fourth year at Tech he received a Rhodes Scholarship. Recipients of this prestigious academic award are chosen not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements, but also for their character, commitment to others and to the common good, and potential for leadership. Notably only 32 young Americans are chosen annually for this award among the 50 states and District of Columbia.
Burt graduated from Georgia Tech in 1956 with a B.S. in Industrial Management. Due to his college ROTC obligation, he committed to three years in the Air Force and was stationed at Fort Hickam Air Force base in Honolulu, Hawaii. While there he met Elizabeth “Libbie” Eaton, who was an Air Force flight attendant. They fell in love and married within a year.
After three years in the Air Force, Burt and Libbie returned to North Carolina where he began his career with Carolina Power & Light, (now Duke Energy). As Burt advanced through the ranks to Vice President of the Central Division during his career, he and Libbie raised a son and two daughters – Andy, Tammy and Mary. Burt retired with 38 years of service to CP&L, and spent his retirement days golfing, enjoying time with friends, family and four grandchildren, serving as a deacon and singing in the choir at First Baptist Church of Aberdeen, and as Burt put it, “driving Miss Libbie”.
Burt is survived by his wife, Libbie; daughter Tammy and husband, D.J. Kazmierczak of McKinney, TX; daughter Mary and husband, Jeff Johnson, grandchildren Haley and Zachary of Huntersville, NC; and son Andy and wife Martha Grant, grandchildren Sarah and A.J. of Pinebluff, NC.
The family will receive friends at 7-9 PM on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at Powell Funeral Home, 160 E. New Hampshire Avenue, Southern Pines, NC.
A funeral service will be held Thursday April 10, 2014 at 11AM at the First Baptist Church of Aberdeen, 700 N. Sandhills Blvd., Aberdeen, NC with a graveside service to follow at Bethesda cemetery.
The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Burt’s memory to First Health Hospice and Palliative Care in Pinehurst, NC or First Baptist Church of Aberdeen’s Building Fund.
Powell Funeral Home and Crematory of Southern Pines is assisting the family
Online condolences at www.PinesFunerals.com
Our condolences to all the family. We thoroughly enjoyed knowing Burt and Libby and having the pleasure of working with him at CP&L. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time of sorrow and celebration of his life. He will always
Mr. Grant was and will always be dear to my heart. I grew up in Moore County and I was brought up in Aberdeen First Baptist Church. Mr. Grant was a great man and would help you if you needed help in any way. No matter when or where you saw him, he always
I worked in Aberdeen for 16 years before moving on the Garner. During my time in the Sandhills, I came to know and gain a tremendous amount of respect for Mr. Grant. He was easy to talk to and always seemed genuinely interested in your career and family.
Burt was successful in everything he undertook. I admired his many achievements and envied his outstanding athletic career. It was my pleasure to work with him many years at Carolina Power & Light Company and I’m glad to have been among his many, many fri
Libbie and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Burt’s death. Please know that my family and I will hold all of you in prayer during these difficult days of adjustment. I remember the times our children shared in the church and community, and, of course, I en
Please accept our deepest sympathies for the loss of such a wonderful family man. I have many fond memories of times spent with the Grant family as we fumbled our way through adolescence. Mr. Grant was always such a positive influence in our lives. To the
Thinking of Libby, Andy, Tammy, Mary and all the family at this difficult time. Have known the family since working at CP&L, through church, and caring for grandchildren in our day care. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Our prayers are with your family at this time and in the future. May God keep you all in his comforting and loving arms now and in the future.
Our prayers go out to the Grant Family. Bert was a good friend. we were athletes at Ga. Tech at the same time. Bert introduced Gentia and I and we have been married since 1955.
Our prayers go out to the Grant family. Bert was a good friend. I was a scholarship player at Ga. Tech with Bert. Bert introduced Genita and I in 1954 and we have been married for all these years.
Thank you for allowing Burton to bless us with his singing ministry. The residents have looked forward to the 4th Tuesday night for many years. You will forever be one of my favorite families from Elmcroft. I loved Mary very much. I lost my Daddy just one
Our prayers go out to the Grant family. Bert was a good friend. Bert and I were at Ga. Tech at the same time. We both played sports for Ga. Tech. Bert introduced us (blind date) in 1954. We have been married 59 years.
Libby,
I was saddened to see that Burt has passed. I have very fond memories of you and Burt and the kindness you showed to the little girl that lived across the street from his parents. Your family is in my prayers.
Myra
I would like to express my sincere sympathy to the family of Burt Grant. The school New Hanover High opposed for the 1951 3-A championship was High Point Senior High.The game was played on a very cold Friday night following Thanksgiving that year.We defin