REV. DR. GRANT FRANKLIN CLAUDE GILLARD

Rev. Dr. Grant Franklin Claude Gillard, 62, of Holden, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, March 18, 2021 at his home.

Grant was born November 17, 1958 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, the son of Jack F.C. Gillard and Barbara (Anderson) Gillard.

He graduated from Albert Lea High School.

Next, he earned a bachelors of science degree at Iowa State University in Ames.

Following Iowa State, he attended Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he met his wife, Nancy. He was united in marriage to Nancy Dee Farris on September 6, 1986 in Kansas City, Missouri.

The couple lived in Newark, Delaware for several years, where Grant served as associate pastor at White Clay Creek Presbyterian Church for six years.

Next, the couple resided in Jackson, Missouri, where he was the minister at First Presbyterian Church for 25 years.

They have been rural Holden residents since 2018.

Grant was pastor at New Horizon Presbyterian Church in Odessa at the time of his untimely passing.

He was a beekeeper. He served as past state president of Missouri State Beekeeper Association.

He was also an avid Gun Club member, in both the Glenville Gun Club and Cape Girardeau County Gun Club.

He was very active in church groups, including Bible study and youth groups, just to name a few.

Survivors include his loving wife of nearly 35 years, Nancy; two daughters, Barbara Gillard of Kansas City, MO and Claire Gillard of Corvallis, OR; son, Austin Gillard of Kansas City, MO; sister, Anne Craft (Tim) of Wayne, MI; brother, Jason Gillard (Cheri) of Colorado Springs, CO; stepmother, Marina Gillard of Glenville, MN; father-in-law, Fred D. Farris of Leawood, KS; two brothers-in-law, Jim Farris (Deanna) of Overland Park, KS and Alan Farris of Overland Park, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 25 at Colonial Presbyterian Church, located at 12501 137th St. in Overland Park.

The family will receive friends Thursday at the church, beginning at 2 p.m.

Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net. Arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden.