Obituary for Kenneth James Grandberry
Kenneth James Grandberry passed away on February 27, 2022, in San Antonio, TX. He was born in Waco, Texas, on January 25, 1952. Kenneth was proceeded in death by his parents, Lester, and Jimmie (Haliburton) Grandberry.
He is survived by his daughter Ayanna (Roderick) Jarrett; daughter Kendra (Frank) Hill; sister Celeste (Kenneth) Green; brother Anthony (Sue) Grandberry; sister Pamela (Tim) Lauterbach; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by his former wife Jeanne (Hobbs) Grandberry of Tacoma, Washington. As a child of a career Army veteran he lived in Nurnberg, Germany; El Paso, Texas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Waco, Texas; and Tacoma, Washington.
He graduated from Laughbon High School in Dupont, Washington in 1970. After high school he attended Washington State University in Pullman Washington on a football scholarship. As a running back he led them in rushing three of his four years with the team. His superb skill and talent resulted in him being recognized as the team’s all-time leading rusher. He left Washington State after being drafted in the eighth round by the Chicago Bears. In 1974, his first year with the Bears, he was their lead rusher with 478 yards and 5 touchdowns.
After playing for the Bears, he had short stints with the Green Bay Packers, the Southern California Sun of the USFL and the Seattle Seahawks. His football career ended abruptly when he was diagnosed with degenerating disks in his lower back. Kenneth returned to Texas in the early 80’s where he lived for the remainder of his life.
Kenneth had a way with everyone he met. He was very personable, and everyone felt as if they were his friends. In June of 2016, he suffered a massive stroke which resulted in him living in a skilled nursing facility for the last three and a half years of his life. As a resident of Lakeside Nursing Home in San Antonio, Texas he quickly became one of their most favorite residents. His favorite pastime in his later years was eating. Some of his favorites included: What-a-Burger, fried catfish, greens, black-eyed peas, fried okra, and pecan pie.
He is survived by his daughter Ayanna (Roderick) Jarrett; daughter Kendra (Frank) Hill; sister Celeste (Kenneth) Green; brother Anthony (Sue) Grandberry; sister Pamela (Tim) Lauterbach; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by his former wife Jeanne (Hobbs) Grandberry of Tacoma, Washington. As a child of a career Army veteran he lived in Nurnberg, Germany; El Paso, Texas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Waco, Texas; and Tacoma, Washington.
He graduated from Laughbon High School in Dupont, Washington in 1970. After high school he attended Washington State University in Pullman Washington on a football scholarship. As a running back he led them in rushing three of his four years with the team. His superb skill and talent resulted in him being recognized as the team’s all-time leading rusher. He left Washington State after being drafted in the eighth round by the Chicago Bears. In 1974, his first year with the Bears, he was their lead rusher with 478 yards and 5 touchdowns.
After playing for the Bears, he had short stints with the Green Bay Packers, the Southern California Sun of the USFL and the Seattle Seahawks. His football career ended abruptly when he was diagnosed with degenerating disks in his lower back. Kenneth returned to Texas in the early 80’s where he lived for the remainder of his life.
Kenneth had a way with everyone he met. He was very personable, and everyone felt as if they were his friends. In June of 2016, he suffered a massive stroke which resulted in him living in a skilled nursing facility for the last three and a half years of his life. As a resident of Lakeside Nursing Home in San Antonio, Texas he quickly became one of their most favorite residents. His favorite pastime in his later years was eating. Some of his favorites included: What-a-Burger, fried catfish, greens, black-eyed peas, fried okra, and pecan pie.