Grant Leroy Roberts

GRANT LEROY ROBERTS
01-24-1936 - 04-24-2016

Grant, the first of six children, was born January 24, 1936 in Nampa, Idaho to LeRoy and Naomi (Kloepfer) Roberts. He was raised on a farm in Kuna Idaho. At a young age Grant had the responsibility of milking cows, taking care of the cattle, and miscellaneous farming duties. This included having his own cow and involvement in 4-H. It was during these younger years that he knew he had a love of rodeos and horses.

Grant graduated from Kuna High School in 1954. Prior and after graduation he worked for his Grandpa Kloepfer, his Dad, and others farmers and ranchers. At the age of eighteen, Grant started working the winter months at the sugar factory in Nampa. In May 1959 Grant was called to serve his
country in the U.S. Army that led him to Ft. Ord California for basic then to Ft. Gordon Georgia for advanced training and eventually to Germany. In Germany he visited Dachau, one of the Nazi's concentration death camps. This had a profound impression on Grant. He was honorably discharged in 1961.

At the age of nineteen (summer 1955) Grant started competitive rodeos. At his first rodeo he entered the calf roping at Riggins Idaho. He trained his own horses. Grant went on to enter events in calf and team roping, bulldogging, wild cow milking and even a wild horse race in many rodeos throughout Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Nevada. At one time Grant held the calf roping record for many years in Gooding Idaho. The fastest time he roped a calf was in Sultan Washington at 7.5 seconds. Grant was one of the firsts to dismount off the right side in calf roping. Harry Charters of Melba was the only other one Grant knew of at the time that did it. Cowboys thought he was crazy getting off the right side but ironically most ropers today get off the right. Grant figured out that was the shortest and quickest way to the calf, however a good horse, Bally, helped too.

In 1967 Grant started working for Chuck and Doris Tyson at the Hootenanny Ranch on
Reynolds Creek in Owyhee County. He continued to work for Tyson's and entering rodeos during the summer months. When winter came he would work the campaign at the sugar factory and around 1973 Grant started working year round until he retired at the age of 62. Although he was working year round

Grant continued to rodeo on a smaller scale.                  .

December 1969 Grant married Marsha Spielman in Nampa where they made their first home prior to moving to a small farm in Caldwell (Marsing area) in 1972 where they continue to live. Grant and Marsha became proud parents in 1971 to their daughter Michele. She was the "apple of his eye". At the age of one-week old, Grant took Michele to her first rodeo, Jordan Valley. Michele was three months old when Grant took her on her first horse ride at the Kamiah Rodeo. After the death of his beloved brother Gary, Grant was left with a decision of what would happen to Gary's three young daughters. Through Grant's love of Gary and the love of his three nieces, Grant fought for the good and positive welfare of the girls. Grant's family grew with three nieces that he considers his daughters, Tanya, Kelly, and Becky. The girl's ages ranged from three to ten when they came to live with them. He never regretted that decision and continued to remain close to them and their kids. They were loved and treated like his own.

Grant was always supportive of the kids and grandkids in horse 4-H. He loved to take them to fair and enjoyed the overnight trail rides with Michele, her friend Karla and fellow 4-H'er and the 4-H club. Grant enjoyed his A TV rides with Michele, Marsha, and friends.

After knee surgery Grant continued his love of working with horses, cattle and farming but had to switch from rodeo to raising and training draft horses. Not only had he taught others to shoe horses, he taught old and young to harness and drive draft horses. Grant raised, trained, paraded, and took his Shires and Percherons to fair. He won many performance classes with his Shires and Percherons also Grand Champion and Reserve Champion Shire Mares. Grant also farmed with his horses. Cars driving by on the road would stop and watch some even talked with Grant. You could imagine the western way of life watching Grant drive and work his horses on different farm machinery. He loved his many horses, including Bally, Brownie and Prince, his draft horses Mutt & Jeff, Maud & Girl and Elmer.

Grant was humbled and extremely honored in August 2015 to be inducted into the Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame, surrounded by family, friends, and fellow cowboys. He was so proud of this honor that he would tell his doctors and nurses. Of course the family was proud of him as well.

In 2009 Grant started losing his eyesight. By 2010 he was legally blind. Grant lost all his central vision but due to his toughness, perseverance and of course a little stubbornness, he continued to take care of his horses, drive, harness, and participate in the annual Weiser River Wagon Train. When he broke his hip on March 31, he had it figured he could be out of rehab and be able to go on the 2016 wagon train at the end of May. Even blind Grant continued to teach those younger the western way of life, hard work, integrity, honesty and leaving a legacy of the family history.

Grant is lovingly remembered by his wife Marsha, daughters Michele (Rich) Lawson, Tanya (Jason) Hoffman-Lampman, Kelly Roberts and Becky Roberts. Grandkids Heather (Bill) Turner, Hilary (Brian) Galligan, Michael (Fancy) Williams, Megan (Todd) Williams-Henry, Garrett Lampman, Chloe Lampman, Macie Lampman, Michael Ames, Dominick Roberts, Gracie Sharpe, and Jacob Sharpe. His precious great-grandsons Desmond, George, Adam, Grant, Scott, and soon to be born Liam. Grant's beloved dog Jill and new puppy Annie, and his team, Lady and Tramp. Brother Owen Roberts, Sister-in-law Marlene Riplinger and ZeeRay Anderson, Sister-in-law Marla (Michael) Rue; Nephews David, Darrell (Janine), Adam, Bill, Todd, and Terry; Nieces Andrea (Blaine), Barbara, Shawna, Nikki, Tammy and numerous great nephews and great nieces. Grant's extended Lawson Family Jack and Jeannie, Jeremy (Feli) and Naomi, Amanda, Samantha (Lowell), Ryan, Sabrina, Emma and Oliver (deceased), Daniel (Bree), and other Lawson family members. Grant will be welcomed in Heaven by Marsha's parents Otto Spielman and Alma Foreman, his parents, sisters Delpha and Karen, brothers Gary and Dale, and his grandparents.

Grant had a special love and bond with his family and extended family. His love and the bond he had with his grandkids and great grandkids are matched by none. Our hearts are heavy with the loss of Grant but wonderful memories and stories to be told to the young and future members of our family. You are so loved Grant, Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa. You will be missed and never forgotten. All our Love, High Fives and Knuckles to you for eternity.

Everyone is welcome to share your memories of Grant during his Celebration of Life at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday May 3, 2015 at Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. Viewing prior to service from11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Our loved one is respectfully being cared for by Nampa Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made c/o Dan Dickerson, 105 Wild Rose Circle, Fruitland, Idaho 83719 for a memorial bench in Grant's honor on the Weiser River Trail, or to his family, or a charity of your choice. 

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