On November 3rd, 2015, Heaven received a great man, Raymond Ellis Grett. He was a loving husband to Leah, his soulmate, for 66 years, the best dad ever, and a wonderful grandfather. He was born and raised on a farm in Lamar, Colorado, until the age of 14 when he moved to California with his parents, sister and brother. They settled in Victorville where he graduated from Victor Valley High School in 1946. He was Captain of the football team and Student Body President. After graduation, he joined the United States Marines where he served in China. He was on active duty for three years and in the reserves for three years. When he returned to Victorville after being discharged from the Marines, he went to work for Southwest Portland Cement Company. He retired from Southwest as Maintenance Superintendent after 40 years. In 1949 he married Leah, the love of his life. They raised three daughters in Victorville. He served on the Planning Commission and the Sanitation District for the City of Victorville. He was a volunteer fireman with the Victorville Volunteer Fire Department. He played a big role in the growth of the Fire Department and loved his many years there. He moved up the ranks to Assistant Fire Chief. He was a long-time member of the United Methodist Church in Victorville. He was an avid hunter and deep-sea fisherman. He hunted moose in Canada, elk and deer in Colorado, Utah and Montana. He and Leah traveled all over the world. He especially enjoyed returning to China after 50 years. He and Leah loved Kauai, returning many times over the last 40 years with family and friends. He loved to play golf and would take his clubs on many of their trips. He and Leah enjoyed many golf trips with the Montana Roadrunners. He was a charter member of the Spring Valley Lake Country Club and a long-time member of Apple Valley Country Club. Thirty years ago he and Leah bought a log cabin in Hamilton, MT. This past 4th of July 40 family members were there to celebrate his 88th birthday. His greatest joy was spending time with Leah and their loving family. They spent many years at Lake Mojave with their extended family, boating and making homemade ice cream. He and Leah took up snow skiing to be able to spend even more time with their family. There were many skiing trips to Park City, Utah, and Montana. Dad was a great role model and made a difference in our lives, his grandchildren's lives and in the lives of all who knew him. He will live in our hearts forever. He leaves behind his loving wife Leah, his sister Lucille Watts, his brother Lane Grett; his daughters, Phronsie Johnstone and husband Jeff, Christie (Mathes) Eaker and husband Gary, and Becky Grett-Harris and husband John; 10 grandchildren, Tina Monkarsh (Bryan), Jayson Johnstone (Teresa), Jeffrey Johnstone (Stacey), Stephen Mathes (Courtney), Chad Mathes (Melissa), David Mathes (Courtney), Kelly Harris-Pedersen (Jeff), Windi Harris-Umland (Jordan), Michael Harris (Nacina), and KayCee; 19 great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, and nieces and nephews.
Published in the Daily Press on Nov. 22, 2015