Grant Clayson Brockbank

Grant Clayson Brockbank, age 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on August 24, 2021 in Provo, Utah.

Grant was born on June 25, 1931 to Allen Grant and Zina Elizabeth Clayson Brockbank at their home in American Fork, Utah. At age 2, the family moved to Spanish Fork. When Grant was in 6th grade, his family moved to Provo where he attended junior high and high school at B.Y. High. He played basketball, baseball and football at B.Y. High School.

When Grant was 11, his mother was called to serve on the Primary General Board of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in this calling for 22 years and Grant would listen to all the lessons she wrote and let her know if they were good or not. When she would go to Salt Lake City on Thursday afternoons for her meetings, Grant worked with his dad in the garden and learned to love gardening. Grant also took an interest in cooking and tried out many gourmet recipes, especially treats. He was best known for his caramel popcorn, divinity, mint sticks, chocolate-covered caramels, and “Brock-a-joys.” Over the years he would help his grandchildren make mint sticks for their weddings. Grant learned how to do magic tricks as a Cub Master in Scouting, and throughout his life, he could put on quite the magic show. His last performance was at a family reunion in June.

After high school, Grant attended Brigham Young University for one quarter, then served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New England States Mission. Upon his return to BYU, he met the love of his life, Joan Webster Dixon. He worked as a gear jammer (bus driver) at the Utah Parks for two summers, and lucky for him, Joan worked at Zion National Park. Two years later, Grant and Joan both graduated from BYU with B.S. degrees, and four days later, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 7, 1955. They returned again for a third summer working in the Utah Parks, this time as a married couple.

Grant graduated from the University of Oregon Dental School with his DMD in 1959. He worked as a dentist at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he attained the rank of Captain in the U.S. Air Force. In 1963, they moved their growing family to Salt Lake City, Utah where Grant set up his dental practice. His professional career as a dentist spanned 40½ years, while he and Joan raised their four children.

Throughout their marriage, Grant and Joan worked well together and supported each other in their various endeavors. For the last 14 years of Grant’s dental practice, Joan served as his receptionist. Grant and Joan served an 18-month mission together for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Winter Quarters Visitor Center in Omaha, Nebraska. They also served a mission at the Church Employment Center and Welfare Square for 7½ years. They were well-known in their neighborhood for making and delivering tasty candies and cookies to their neighbors and friends for Valentine’s Day and Christmas. They also shared many vegetables from their garden each year. They loved being together and serving others. When they weren’t busy serving, they enjoyed traveling to many destinations throughout the world.

After 60 years of marriage, Grant’s sweetheart, Joan, passed away on August 15, 2015. Three years later, Grant moved to Provo, Utah to be closer to family.

Grant enjoyed photography, gardening, making whole wheat bread, chocolates, and other candies, playing tennis, and watching BYU sports, especially football.

Grant will be remembered for his loving heart, storytelling, chocolate making, magic tricks, phone call chats, and his strong faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ. He was positive and pleasant to be around. He had a witty sense of humor and a keen mind. His family was very important to him, and he and Joan were very involved in the lives of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He served faithfully his entire life as an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a great example of enduring to the end gracefully.

Grant is survived by his four children: Harold (Lori), Brenda Walton (Jim), Elizabeth Hoffman (Curtis), and Roger (Kristina); 21 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother, Allen Brent Brockbank, and one great-grandson, Shad Brockbank.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. at the Edgewood Ward Building, 3511 N. 180 E., Provo, Utah. A viewing will be held that morning from 10:30 – 11:30 at the same location before the funeral. Interment at Provo City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LDS General Missionary Fund or Humanitarian Fund. Funeral Directors: Russon Mortuary. Online guestbook available at www.russonmortuary.com.

Link to view the funeral- https://youtube.com/channel/UC66gLIFyNkdP5Qr_71REwuA