Grant Keith Garner, 60, of Albany died Feb. 17 in a bicycle-vehicular accident.
He was born in Caldwell, Idaho, to Evan Bowen and Sarah Melba (Despain) Garner. He was the sixth of eight children, and he and his brothers developed into great pranksters. His family moved to Beaverton in 1969 and he graduated from Beaverton High School in 1972.
He attended Brigham Young University, and served full time for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Colorado Springs Mission, 1974-76. He returned to BYU, graduating in April 1979 with a bachelor of science/master’s degree combination in electrical engineering. He was part of building BYU’s first computer department.
He met the love of his life, Rosemarie Raynes, at a dance and married her on Nov. 9, 1977, in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in Provo until graduating, and then moved to Corvallis in May 1979 for Grant to work for Hewlett-Packard Co. He transferred to the HP McMinnville location in 1990, but with its closing, returned to Corvallis in January 1997. He had seven design patents, issued from 1989 to 2013.
His family was his number-one priority. His four children, Allen, Brandon, Cara and Lincoln, enjoyed playing board and video games, movies, footraces and hiking with him. He infused everything with his rollicking sense of humor. He loved reading and bike riding and flowers.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
He is survived by his wife, Rosemarie; children Allen Raynes Garner of Albany, Brandon Grant (Lindsey) Garner of Georgia, Cara Beth Garner of Portland and Lincoln Alvin (Becky) Garner of Florence; siblings Lynn (Kaye) Garner, Owen (Maryann) Garner, Royce (Linda) Garner, Mardene Schweers, Louise Garner, Bryce (Carolee) Garner and Loren (Patricia) Garner; beloved grandchildren Jaysa and Desiree Hope; and close friend John Tracey from his college days.
A funeral service will take place at noon Saturday, Feb. 21, in the LDS Chapel at 1615 28th Ave. S.E., Albany. There will be no public viewing, and burial will be at a later date.
