Alan Welles Grantham

Dateline: Abingdon, VA- Dr. Alan Welles Grantham, age 88, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at the Wellmont Hospice House. He was born to the late James Grantham and Helen Little Grantham in Cook County, IL on February 1, 1927. Alan grew up in Evanston where he attended Evanston Township High School. He enlisted in the Navy, serving in the Philippines at the end of WWII. Alan then attended Kenyon College and Northwestern Medical School, and upon graduation, he married his wife of 61 years, Mary. After completing an internship and residency in General Surgery, Alan moved to Abingdon, Virginia where he practiced general surgery for thirty years until retirement in 1991. Alan was a man of many interests and abilities. His outdoor activities included biking, hiking, hunting, fishing, gardening, sailing and cross-country skiing. He was an accomplished equestrian. His hobbies including Windsor chair making, woodworking, fly tying, reloading, and antiques. He played cello, guitar and bagpipes. Alan was a avid reader with wide ranging interests; his home was full of books. Most importantly, Alan was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. In addition to his parents, Alan was also preceded in death by his brother, James Robertson Grantham. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Hummon Grantham; two sons, Christopher Dow Grantham and wife Michele of Tucson, AZ and Jeremy Hummon Grantham and wife Laura of Abingdon, VA; two daughters, Judith Grantham Paton and husband David of Helena, MT and Sarah Grantham Williams and husband Peter of Raleigh, NC; sister, Eve Grantham Kingsland of New York, NY; eight grandchildren, Joseph, Julianna, Sarah, Kathryn, Hannah and husband Jim, Sophie Rose, Nicholas, and Grantham; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2015 at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 11th at St. Thomas Episcopal Church with the Reverend Hilary Streever officiating. Incryptment will follow in the columbarium at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Denton, Bob Gilmer, Ron McNeal, Steve Semancik, and Mark Simcox. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001, the Virginia Creeper Trail Club, P.O. Box 2382, Abingdon, VA 24212, or flowers will be accepted. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the guestbook. The family of Dr. Alan Welles Grantham is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).