Vernon Grant Anderson

September 20, 1946 to May 5, 2012

On September 20, 1946 Vernon Grant Anderson III began his life and lived it to the fullest.  He came from a highly educated and artistic family.  VGA the II, Grant's father, was a physicist and aerospace engineer.  His mom, Jeanne, was the artist in the family.

V. Grant was G-rant to his family and closest friends, for he could always find a topic to rant about: from bacon-flavored toothpaste to the cruelty to animals the self-righteous.  Grant loved to debate.  Grant was a man that "attacked what he truly believed to be wrong, though defended by the many, and he was willing to stand for the right against the world."  He always defended the underdog and hated bullying.

Grant graduated from Creighton University Dental School.  He practiced dentistry in North Dakota to pay off his student loans and Arizona to make a living. Grant practiced a lot of gratis dentistry because he felt it was his obligation to eliminate the pain of the less fortunate that came to him for help.  Money had little meaning to him.  He felt money was to be used to help others and many times after a long morning of surgery he would go to the park talk with the people who were homeless and asked them to share their stories.  He always gave them a token of his appreciation before he left there for sharing a part of them with him.  It humbled him.

Grant enjoyed many things in life.  He was a contender to be an Olympic swimmer in the 100 & 200 meter- for the 1960 Olympics.  He was so comfortable in the water he should have had gills!  And, he loved music!  He played "name that tune" with his family.  He loved string and woodwind instruments the most.  He taught himself to play the clarinet and held first chair throughout his entire band career.  He had wide range of favorites from Igor Stravinsky to Frank Zappa, but his all-time favorite music was that of Pink Floyd and he got to enjoy them in concert four times during his life.

Grant genuinely loved, and he always protected those he loved.  He loved animals especially his three cats, Pigeon, Raven and Skimmer.  He loved saving turtles from the road and ranted about people who ran them over.  Grant loved his five sons, Mark Grant Anderson (wife Cara, daughters Brianna and Julia); Jeffery Scott Anderson; Troy Kevin Anderson (wife Sandy and son Grant Griffin); Aaron Christopher Gilletti (wife Sarah, children Makayla, Ethan and Lily); and Adam Trevor Gilletti (wife Angel and Adam's daughter Kloie) as well and his six nieces.  Grant's love was also extended to his sister Wendy Anderson, his brother Jeffery Bruce Anderson and his brother Mark Edward Anderson even though Mark preceded him in death.  Mostly he loved the passion and light of his world, Mary Lynee Gilletti, whom he met on a blind date on August 23, 1985, a date that lasted 27 wonderful years.  He took his last breath on the morning of May 15, 2012 with his last vision being his beloved Mary and uttering the words "Mary, I love you."  Grant protected her until the very end. 

In lieu of flowers, if you feel moved to honor him, a donation to the Southern Poverty Law Center founded by Morris Dees with be greatly appreciated, as they are will do the right thing against the world of the many.

The family is planning a celebration to remember his amazing life on his birthday in September.

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.

We hope you had the time to your life. 

Posted June 8, 2012 in the Rockport Pilot, Rockport TX.