Rev. Brad Gran

Rev. Bradford Hamilton Gran (Brad), 80, of Cookeville, Tennessee, passed away February 14, 2022 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center in Cookeville. His death was caused by heart issues as a result of Covid. A Memorial Service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 26th, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Kevin Conrad and Rev. Rob Wheeler will officiate. His family will receive friends Saturday from 12:30 p.m. until service time at the church. Born January 22, 1942 in La Crosse, Wisconsin Brad was the son of the late Irvin Palmer Gran and the late Leona Mae (Weverstad) Gran. He graduated from Le Sueur High School in Le Sueur, Minnesota where the Green Giant Canning Company was located. He often said he grew up in the Valley of the Jolly Green Giant. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Minnesota in 1964, an MBA from Michigan State University in 1985 and a theological degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 2006. After graduation from the University of Minnesota he married Kathryn Lonigan of Boaz, Alabama in 1964. They were divorced in 1987. Brad worked as an Internal Auditor for 3M Company where he initiated the first Computer Systems Auditing procedures. He later became the Manager of Internal Audit at National Car Rental and then Ex-Cell-O Corporation. At Ex-Cell-O he rose to become a Group Controller and then a division financial Vice President. Leaving Ex-Cell-O he took over the management of all computer operations for Domino’s Pizza Distribution Company. After leaving Domino’s Pizza he formed a partnership in Des Moines, Iowa which provided high level technical consulting on computer systems for Fortune 500 sized companies. While in Des Moines he met and then married his second wife, Mary Alice Donovan, a Minister of Christian Education, on August 1, 1992. Her career led to an opportunity in Nashville, Tennessee and they moved there in 1994. Brad continued his consulting practice working with a large number of companies across the USA and in the Nashville area including Nissan and WebMD. In 2000 Brad answered the call from God, becoming a minister in the United Methodist Church. He served churches in the Nashville area until he retired in 2010. Following retirement, Brad and Mary Alice moved to Cookeville, Tennessee where they remained active as volunteers at First United Methodist Church. Brad was devotedly involved in the weekly Food Pantry distribution at the church. Additionally he was a member of the Board of Directors for Upper Cumberland Habitat for Humanity. As a youth he was an Eagle Scout and was active for many years with the Boy Scouts of America in Michigan and in Tennessee. Brad leaves behind his wife Mary Alice, two sons Bryan (Jennifer) Gran of Christiana, Tennessee and Blake Gran of Jackson, Tennessee as well as step children, Melinda (Clayton) Hensley of Clinton, Tennessee and Bill (Jodi) Donovan of Ames, Iowa. Beloved grandchildren: Will Hensley, Kody Gran, Cooper Gran, Carson Gran, Hazel Hensley, and Addison Donovan. He is also survived by his sister, Cheryl (Gary) Isakson of Rangeley, Maine as well as nephew and nieces: Hunter (MaryKate) Isakson, Lindsay (Ben) Haughee and Courtney (Evan) Foley. Memorial contributions are requested to be made in lieu of flowers to First United Methodist Church God’s Grace Food Pantry, https://cookevillefumc.org/giving/ and/or Upper Cumberland Habitat for Humanity https://give.uchabitat.org/checkout/3014. Arrangements are being handled by Hooper-Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home (931)526-6111. Share memories and condolences at hhhfunerals.com