Leonard Ray Grant May 5, 2017

Celebration of Life

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Time: 12:00pm

Good Street Baptist Church

3110 Bonnie View Road

Dallas, Texas 75216Wake

Friday, May 5, 2017

Time: 6:00-8:00pm

Good Street Baptist Church

3110 Bonnie View Road

Dallas, Texas 75216

Leonard Ray Grant was born to the parentage of Dorothy Rose and Howard Grant in Dallas, Texas who proceeded him in death. At an early age, he and his mother moved to Hawthorne, Nevada. After the death of his mother, he was reared by Carl and Carrie Massingale, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He received his childhood education in Dallas and Las Vegas public schools. In Las Vegas, he excelled in education and sports.

While at Rancho High School in Las Vegas, he was an all-around athlete where he participated in many sports which included, football, basketball, baseball and track.  His favorite sport was baseball where he was nicknamed “Lil Jackie Robinson”.

After graduating from high school in 1957, he went on to matriculate through Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1962.

He was drafted into the United States Army where he was chosen as an honor graduate of the class of 1963. He was honorably discharged in 1968 after serving about six years.

After serving his country he returned to Dallas, Texas where he began his 29-year career in education with the Dallas Independent School District. During his DISD career, his massive impact influenced hundreds and changed many lives.  He guided many boys and girls who made it to the Olympics and the Olympic trials including Christy Gaines, Marlin Cannon, and Sheddric Fields.

While employed as an educator he received his Masters of Liberal Arts Degree from Southern Methodist University in Mathematics in 1970.

Leonard met his soulmate Doris for the first time in 1976.  They had a long courtship which lead Leonard, “Coach Grant” loved all of his athletes as they were his own children. As the head track to a beautiful marriage.  Leonard and Doris married on November 1, 1981 and remained connected hearts for thirty-six years.  Coach Grant loved his wife Doris immensely and treated her like the queen she is. His wife was his world and he vowed to love her, cherish her, til death do them part.

Starting his coaching career at Madison Junior High, his team won district along with being City Champions three years in a row. His next position was at Madison High School, where his record included a district championship, a regional championship (400 & 1600-meter relay) in 1979.  Leonard, “Coach Grant” loved all his athletes as they were his own children. While coaching track, he received the 400-meter relay State Championship in 1979.

Coach Grant’s South Oak Cliff team’s honors include: district champions, 1987, regional champions also in 1987, 1988, and 1989. He coached a successful team to the State Championship in 1988 and 1989 with clinching state runner-up in 1987.

Leonard Ray Grant’s total track and field record includes two district, four regional, one state runner-up and two state championships. Other honors include being the Coach of South Oak Cliff Academic Olympic Champions in 1982 and TAAF State Champions in 1973, 1974, and 1975.

As an honor, Dallas Morning News named him as “Coach of The Year” three times in a row as being the BEST in the Nation.

After he formally retired from Dallas Independent School District, he became involved with the Dallas Council of PTAs where he served as Vice President from 2001-2004.

“Coach” Leonard Ray Grant leaves to cherish his memory, his beautiful wife of 36 years, Doris Grant, three daughters, Davette Warren, Charmetra McDow, and Ashley Evans, all of Dallas; two sons, Stephen Harris (Donna), and Kendrick Williams of Dallas; one granddaughter Ashlee of Dallas; two brothers, Howard Grant Jr., and Marcus Grant (Deanna); three sisters, Doris Furlough, Annette Grant, and DeLoyce Conerly, all of Dallas Texas.  One father like Uncle, Charles Rose of Dallas Texas and Joe Grant of California. Two special God Sons, Michael Green and Major Barnett, both of Dallas, Texas. He also leaves to cherish a host of other relatives which includes nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He also leaves a host of female and male athletes to cherish his love and memory as his teaching and philosophy will be forever embedded into your lives.

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Eternal Rest Funeral Home – “Creating Memories That Will Last A Life Time”

Call us for additional information: 972-228-6750