Grant Macfarlane, Jr.

Grant Macfarlane Jr. passed away at home Sunday, August 20, 2023. He was born December 16, 1929, to Grant Macfarlane Sr. and Lucie Gayle Langton Macfarlane, the oldest boy of five children: Marilyn, Grant Jr., James, Richard, and John.

He grew up spending summers with his brothers at the Clayton Macfarlane Ranch in East Canyon, where he discovered his love for the great outdoors—riding horses, seeking adventure, and working the land.

After serving an LDS mission in Hawaii, Grant married Ardis Isabelle Erekson September 17, 1952 (later divorced), and they had six children together: Kathryn (Kent Anderson) Della-Piana, Julie (David) O’Leary, Carolyn (Shelley McMurdie) Macfarlane, Michelle (Jeff Hagen) Macfarlane, Mike Macfarlane, and Jeff Macfarlane.

Grant followed in his fathers’ footsteps, becoming a lawyer by trade. But he was a gentleman cowboy at heart. He thrived on pushing the limits—flying planes; driving boats and cars; riding horses and mules; herding cattle; and working the land. Grant’s children treasured every moment he spent with them—they shared many adventures together. But most importantly, Grant taught his children to love others, be compassionate, embrace diversity, cherish relationships, show gratitude, have fun, and love the outdoors.

After graduating from the University of Utah Law School, Grant worked at the law firm of Vancott, Bagley, Cornwall, and McCarthy in Salt Lake City, later becoming a partner. But he decided his priority was to spend more time with his children and fulfill his dream of cattle ranching, so he opened his own private practice. He later served as the City Attorney for Coalville, Utah, with Kathie Olson beside him as his longtime and faithful legal secretary. Grant loved the people of Coalville and considered it a privilege to serve the community.

Grant married Shirley Haynes April 21, 1978. He took Shirley’s children into his heart and loved them dearly as his own: Mark (Carol Mindermann) White, Heidi (Tom) Muir, Katie (Brandon) Peterson, and Jennifer (Todd) Allen.

Grant, who loved cattle ranching, and Shirley, who came from a sheep herding family, shared a love and reverence for land and animals. Because of their mutual interests, they had many remarkable adventures together with family and friends—from mule pack trips all over the West to a shared love of international travel. Grant led the way for both his family and Shirley’s family to preserve and donate land to the Utah Department of Forestry. Together, they also served an LDS inner-city mission in Salt Lake City.

Grant loved deeply and freely. He cherished his relationships with his grandchildren. And he showed his love, respect, and support to all who met him. He helped hundreds of people, from all walks of life with legal challenges, never expecting payment in return. He became a master at mediating and defusing tension. Personally and professionally, he was a superb negotiator who helped people cut through confusion by articulating the bigger picture, identifying the problem, and guiding them toward resolution.

People who knew Grant sought him out for his wisdom and measured advice. He influenced countless lives for good. Of course, we could go on and on about his accomplishments, his adventures, and his incredible humanity. But Grant was a humble, modest man. He wouldn’t want that. And we wouldn’t want him to be blushing in heaven.

Together, Grant and Shirley shared 10 children, 17 grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren (“they all turned out pretty well,” as both Grant and Shirley would say). He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Marilyn, and his brothers Jim and John.

We are deeply grateful for the care and guidance of Chantelle McNeill and A+ Hospice.

We are forever indebted to Misinale (Missy, his “million-dollar girl”) Mahe and Suzzane (Suzi) L. Muli for their humor and loving care of our father.

In honor of Grant, we will hold a celebration of life Thursday, September 7, at 5:15 p.m. at The Pioneer Center, This is the Place Heritage Park (2601 East Sunnyside Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84108).

In lieu of flowers, please pay it forward. Be kind and generous as Grant always was.