Fortified with the Sacraments of The Holy Mother Church, peacefully and surrounded by his family on Wednesday, February 24, 2021.
Devoted and adoring husband for over 65 years of his surviving beloved Marlene Ann (nee D’Alto). He is also survived by his sons Brian (Jennifer), Brad (Becky), Barry (Amy), and Bill (Candace) all of St. Louis, MO. Preceded in death by his son Brett (Kathy). Loving and cherished Grandpa to Jason (Lauren), Kelly (Jameson Reddin), Kevin, Catie, Macey, Trevor, Emily, Zachary, Dominic, Ty, Valerie, Kassidy, Kendall, Roxy, and Brock. Proud Great-Grandpa to Charlie and Caroline. Admired and respected uncle and cousin, and a loyal and dedicated employer, colleague, classmate, and friend.
Donald was born on September 3, 1932, the only child of Harry E. and Suzanne M. Grant in St. Louis, MO. He graduated from Christian Brothers College High School in 1950, and was a two-sport letterman at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN. He received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis in 1955, while he was an officer in the U.S. Army R.O.T.C. He continued his service and achieved the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as he began his career as a Structural Engineer at a private design firm in Clayton, MO. Donald was later employed by Standard Oil Company in Hammond, IN before he joined Grant Masonry Contracting, the business his father had founded in 1946. As a second-generation contractor, Donald was a Registered Professional Engineer that built the business to increased levels of commercial success that is celebrating its 75th-year and third-generation today. Hundreds of St. Louis area landmarks feature the skilled craftsmanship of the masons and laborers he employed; highlighted among them are the Missouri Botanical Garden, C.B.C. High School, Gateway Arch Museum, and the St. Louis Zoo.
Donald was a distinguished businessman, philanthropist, and a titan of his industry. He is a proud member of three Hall’s of Fame; C.B.C High School, St. John Vianney High School, and the Mason Contractor’s Association of America. He was also a trusted mentor and committed volunteer with numerous organizations, serving as President of the Mason Contractor’s Association of America, President of the Mason Contractor’s Association of St. Louis, and Chairman of the Masonry Institute of St. Louis. He also served on the boards of the International Masonry Institute, Bricklayers Local #1 Pension Fund, Construction Laborers Welfare Fund of St. Louis, C.B.C. High School, St. John Vianney High School, and Assumption Catholic Church. Donald was also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Missouri Society of Professional Engineers, Engineers’ Club of St. Louis, Midwest Masonry Research Foundation, and The Masonry Society. In 1999 he was recognized with the prestigious Lead Man Award by Mason Contractor’s Association of America, in appreciation for his valuable and devoted service to the masonry industry. In 2015 Donald was the recipient of the Legacy Award from the American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council, as someone who made a significant impact on the St. Louis construction community over many years. He generously donated his time and treasure to dozens of local charities, including his favorites The St. Louis Muny, Peter & Paul Community Services, and the educational institutions he and his family pridefully attended.
Above all, Donald was most appreciative of his family. He was a revered Father who dutifully raised his five sons with his wife Marlene. He faithfully attended mass every Sunday with his family, and instilled in them a strong foundation of Catholicism and the value of Catholic Education. He spent many hours at baseball and soccer fields, basketball courts, and hockey rinks as a coach and volunteer. As a Grandfather, he was a proud and omnipresent cheerleader at every talent show, school play, sporting event, and dance recital. He had a passion for education and provided the guidance and resources to ensure his children and grandchildren could pursue their educational goals.
Donald led a blessed and exemplary life. He treasured spending time with friends, connecting with old classmates and colleagues, and always remained engaged with his business and family endeavors. He was an avid reader, sports fan, and conservationist who enjoyed gardening, golf, fishing, sharing his political and religious perspective, and spending time with family and friends at his lake house. Donald was the ideal patriarch, a pillar of strength who possessed a wealth of knowledge, humility, and influence. He will be truly missed by those who had the honor and privilege of knowing him and being a part of his life.
Services: The family will receive friends Sunday, March 7, 2021 at Kutis – Affton from 4:00pm until 9:00pm. The funeral mass will be celebrated Monday, March 8, 2021, 10:00am at Assumption-Mattese Catholic Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Contributions in Donald’s memory may be made to Peter & Paul Community Services, 2612 Wyoming St. St. Louis, MO 63118-2402.
We mourn the passing of our cherished and long time friend. His spirit lives on through his family and friends. May the memories of him comfort and sustain Marlene and their families. May his memory be for a blessing.
We mourn the passing of our cherished and long time friend. His spirit lives on through his family and friends. May the memories of him comfort and sustain Marlene and their families. May his memory be for a blessing.
Our sincerest sympathies and prayers.
Debra and George Bruns
Our sincerest sympathies and prayers.
Debra and George Bruns
Deepest sympathies to Marlene and the entire Grant family. My parents and I loved Don . He will be truly missed .
Deepest sympathies to Marlene and the entire Grant family. My parents and I loved Don . He will be truly missed .
Mrs. Marlene, and all those that had the joy of loving a man devoted to God, family, hard work and enjoying life. Though Don was an only child, his legacy of generations of Godly people are exactly what America needs now. Thank you for your service Captain Grant, well done Sir.
Mrs. Marlene, and all those that had the joy of loving a man devoted to God, family, hard work and enjoying life. Though Don was an only child, his legacy of generations of Godly people are exactly what America needs now. Thank you for your service Captain Grant, well done Sir.
I am deeply sorry for your loss. People like Don are truly rare, he was a true “gentle” man.
I am deeply sorry for your loss. People like Don are truly rare, he was a true “gentle” man.
Goodbye, longtime friend Donald. Rest in peace. My sincere condolences to his family T.
Goodbye, longtime friend Donald. Rest in peace. My sincere condolences to his family T.
Condolences. Ted Duke.
Condolences. Ted Duke.
Don was a good, intelligent and genuinely nice man who loved Marlene and his sons very much. All of our memories of Don are good ones. Now he is with Brett.
Don was a good, intelligent and genuinely nice man who loved Marlene and his sons very much. All of our memories of Don are good ones. Now he is with Brett.
My thoughts and prayers go to your family.
My thoughts and prayers go to your family.
To Brian & Family, Mrs. Grant and Don’s other children,
I’ve known Brian since UMR days, but just recently got to learn of Brian’s legacy in the masonry business through various LinkedIn commentary’s on Don. My dad was a few years older, but of a similar generation of self-motivated and self-made men and women. I ‘get’ Don. And by ‘getting’ Don, I can now say I ‘get’ Brian :). You should all be proud and cherish the memories you will carry with you the rest of your lives! And you should honor the values that he passed on to all of you. My condolences!
To Brian & Family, Mrs. Grant and Don’s other children,
I’ve known Brian since UMR days, but just recently got to learn of Brian’s legacy in the masonry business through various LinkedIn commentary’s on Don. My dad was a few years older, but of a similar generation of self-motivated and self-made men and women. I ‘get’ Don. And by ‘getting’ Don, I can now say I ‘get’ Brian :). You should all be proud and cherish the memories you will carry with you the rest of your lives! And you should honor the values that he passed on to all of you. My condolences!
I am so sorry for your loss. Cindy and I had lunch with your mom and Dad at Waffle House and first watch all the time. We think of them often.
I am so sorry for your loss. Cindy and I had lunch with your mom and Dad at Waffle House and first watch all the time. We think of them often.
A Gentleman’s Gentleman
He Gave much more than he received. Happy to call him a friend.
A Gentleman’s Gentleman
He Gave much more than he received. Happy to call him a friend.
Dear Mar,
Our sympathy to you and your family. We have fond memories of Don and his friendship.
Much love to you at the time.
Dear Mar,
Our sympathy to you and your family. We have fond memories of Don and his friendship.
Much love to you at the time.
To Marlene and all the Grant boys — prayers and condolences to you all. Vianney High School, in particular, and all of St. Louis, lost a cherished friend.
To Marlene and all the Grant boys — prayers and condolences to you all. Vianney High School, in particular, and all of St. Louis, lost a cherished friend.
To the Grant Family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Grant. I was fortunate enough to work with his company Grant Masonry. An A-1 class act contractor! Best wishes to his family always.
To the Grant Family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Grant. I was fortunate enough to work with his company Grant Masonry. An A-1 class act contractor! Best wishes to his family always.
Don was first a great & proud husband, father and grandfather. To me he was a valued mentor and friend. To Rose and myself, he and the wonderful Mar were a really fun couple to travel with on our “interesting” trips to Ensenada,
Mexico & Victoria, B. C. and our subsequent trek thru Western Canada.
I’m proud that Don and I left a legacy of a well funded MCA St. L. to advance the future of our great Masonry family.
Love and sympathy,
Bill & Rose Pautler
Don was first a great & proud husband, father and grandfather. To me he was a valued mentor and friend. To Rose and myself, he and the wonderful Mar were a really fun couple to travel with on our “interesting” trips to Ensenada,
Mexico & Victoria, B. C. and our subsequent trek thru Western Canada.
I’m proud that Don and I left a legacy of a well funded MCA St. L. to advance the future of our great Masonry family.
Love and sympathy,
Bill & Rose Pautler