Robert “Bob” Tabler Grant, age 79, of The Villages, FL, passed away July 28, 2015 at the Leesburg Regional Hospital, Leesburg, Florida where he had been a patient for seven days. He was born June 9, 1936, to the late Harry S. Grant, Sr. and Abbie Tabler Grant in Pikeside, West Virginia. Bob was preceded in death by a sister, Katherine “Kitty” Hawk and a brother, Harry S. Grant, Jr. Bob is survived by his wife who was his college sweetheart, Elsie Turner Grant after 54 years of marriage. He is survived by a son, Colonel R. Scott Grant and wife, Dr. Debbie Grant of Pelham, Alabama. He is also survived by two grandsons, Robert D. Grant and his fiancé, Rebecca George, and Tyler S. Grant also of Pelham, Alabama. Bob is survived by one sister, Mary Grant Robertson of California. He leaves one nephew and three nieces. Bob graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1954 and was president of his graduating class. In 1962, he graduated from Shepherd College with a BS Degree in Business Administration. While in college, he was the college photographer, president of the Veteran’s Club and active in the college band. Bob served four years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve and was later a member of the West Virginia 167th Air National Guard where he retired after 291/2 years of military service. His military service also included duty during the Berlin Crisis. He taught school in Frederick County Virginia for 12 years, worked in industry for 12 years and developed Grant Acres Subdivision near Martinsburg, West Virginia. He retired from real estate in 1999. Bob was founder of The Villages Vintage Car Club. He was a member of the following clubs: The West Virginia Club, The Heart of Florida Model A Club, The Villages AACA Club, The KOTR AACA Club, The Shenandoah Regional AACA Club of Winchester, Virginia. He had a great love of antique cars and owned many over the years. He has been a member of the National AACA Club for 50 years. The Grant’s bought their first home in The Villages in 1997. They continued to travel back and forth to their home in Martinsburg, West Virginia during the summer months for sixteen years. They moved permanently to The Villages in 2012. Bob was a member of The Chapel of Christian Faith where he was a member of the choir. He was also a member of the Rosemont Grace Brethren Church in Martinsburg, West Virginia. A funeral service with Pastor Keith Johnson officiating will be held Friday, July 31st at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of Christian Faith, 1401 Paradise Drive, The Villages, Florida. Visitation will be held from 9:30 – 11 a.m. prior to the service. A memorial service and burial will be held on September 11, 2015 in Martinsburg, West Virginia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Chapel of Christian Faith, 1401 Paradise Drive, The Villages, Florida 32159.
