Grant Davis Anthony

Grant Davis Anthony 72, of Raytown Mo passed, passed in the early morning of September 13, 2023, at Kansas University Medical Center due to complications of treatment for myelofibrosis. His daughter and wife both held him lovingly as he passed.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Margaret Anthony of Blue Springs, MO. His daughter January Amanda Anthony-Fish and son-in-law David of North Kansas City, and Grandson Brandon, Micah Anthony of Raytown. Grant’s stepdaughter, Brittney Erin Murphy and husband Paul Murphy of Seattle, WA. Siblings: Rowland Anthony, William Anthony, Denis Anthony, Deborah Anthony, Catherine Anthony, Douglas Anthony, Scott Anthony, and his fur-daughter Magie, and countless friends and relatives whose lives he touched in his time with us.

He is preceded in death by Sister, Judith Tolerton Taylor-  Anthony, Father: Carter Howell and Mother: Mary Frances Anthony. Paternal Grandparents: Isabella and Rene Anthony. Maternal Grandparents, William Raymond Davis, and Jennie Davis. Previous spouses, Pamela Ann Price-Anthony and first wife, RaJean Boyd-Anthony.

There will be a “CELEBRATION OF LIFE JAM” to be held on

Saturday, October 7th, 2023,
Knucklehead’s Saloon from 12:30pm – 5:00pm
2715 Rochester St, Kansas City, MO 64120

A wife’s Love: I will look on the experience of being your wife as a blessed one. For over 25 years we laughed, we cried, we shared moments of great Joy and a few moments of conflicting views as we engaged in an infrequent kerfuffle. When we first met, you had my heart as soon as you first spoke with that deep raspy voice, your good-looking smile, your green eyes, and your amazing talent that could keep me mesmerized for hours while I listened to one of your frequent private concerts. You can’t buy that honey! Given an opportunity, I would choose YOU all over again, because I love you with all my heart Grant. I am not sure how to go on without you, time will help a bit, but not enough for me to ever forget you and all the wonderful times we had being each other’s friend, lover, advisor, and confidant.

A Daughter’s Love: Dad was very passionate about some of his beliefs and opinions, but he never let a difference opinion affect the way he felt about his friends. We talked about this a lot, and we agreed that it is sad when friends or family members have a falling out over a difference of opinions – because love and respect for others should always prevail over any differences. He recognized that discussing controversial topics in some situations and/or with some people was not the greatest idea, but if it did happen, he was happy to oblige providing detailed rationale for his stance on the topic in question. It was common for him to strike up conversations with strangers at restaurants while waiting to be seated. One of his favorite jokes when I was a kid – a child asked his mother a question about something, and she suggested that he asked his father. The child’s response was “well I really didn’t want to know that much about it…”

A thought left on Grant’s phone:

THINK before you speak:

T – is it TRUE
H – is it Helpful
I – is it Inspiring
N – is it Necessary
K – is it Kind

On behalf of Siblings:
Cathy: I was blessed with six brothers and two sisters all of whom are incredibly talented. Grant was my middle brother, who always was fun-loving, with a joke or funny story to tell to bring us all laughter. His love of music and ability to play almost any song by ear, brought us together in song and wonderful shared times together. Those sweet memories and wonderful times shared will be with me always, until we are together again… Love you, Grant!
Employment: Grant graduated from Southwest High School in 1969 and spent most of his life within the greater Kansas City area. His first real jobs were in the car business beginning in 1972, primarily with the Crysler Corporation. Highlights of his career were American Equity Mortgage Corp. where he worked as Professional Financial Agent followed by Finance Manager of Chrysler Jeep up until 2008. Until early retirement he worked as a Mortgage agent. Dad was very much a “numbers guy” and meticulous about budgets. He spent hours combing through ledger entries and receipts if his bank statement balance were off by even one penny.
Recreations: He loved boating, water skiing, and old cars. He was the life of the party, and there was never a shortage of funny stories and jokes. He loved talking to people and made friends anywhere he went.
Passion: His true passion was music and playing piano/keyboard. He frequented many jams/gigs in and around the Kansas City area, and they were everything to him. Any plans that he made revolved around what jams/gigs he planned to attend. Throughout the entirety of his treatment, his main concern was getting back to playing music as soon as possible. He was literally counting down the days – complete with calendar reminders for each 30-day mark. He was truly home behind those keys and amongst his musician friends – and of course his “fan club.” To learn a new song, all he had to do was listen to it – and by the end of the song he was playing right along with it. It was an incredible gift, and mesmerizing to witness. His gift was nothing short of inspirational, and he leaves behind a powerful legacy of love and music that will live on with and through us, always.
Thank you’s:

A sincere and heartfelt thank you to my dad’s brother, my Uncle Doug, for being a stem cell donor for my dad. You offered without hesitation despite any risks, logistical issues, long-distance travel, disruption of personal schedule, etc. He greatly appreciated you doing that for him – even though his cells “beat your cells” because “he’s always been stronger than his brother.”

To the medical staff at KU Medical Center, words cannot adequately express our gratitude to you all for your part in our journey. Many of you became family, and he truly loved all of you. Thank you – for the love, the laughs, the compassion, the hugs, the tears – and for embracing and sharing his love and gift of music.

Memorial Fund is set up for Children’s Mercy Hospital Hematology/Oncology Cancer Unit: Donate to Children’s Mercy (childrensmercy.org)