John Kercheval Grylls (April 4, 2011)
John Kercheval Grylls died in St. John's Hospital, Detroit, MI on Monday, April 4, 2011 at the age of 80. Mr. Grylls attended public schools in Detroit and graduated in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan. After serving two years in the Air Force, he studied Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Wayne State while working in construction and architectural offices. He then obtained his Law degree after seven years at the Detroit College of Law which he attended as a hobby. At the age of forty he opened his law office specializing in construction law representing owners, architects and contractors. He will be remembered as a leader in the construction industry and legal community for the evolution of construction law. His straightforward vision and common sense combined the inexactness of law with the precision of engineering. He continued his law practice until his death. He was a leading advocate of issue resolution utilizing arbitration and served as a litigant or arbitrator including international arbitration. He was an active member of the American Arbitration Association. His professional colleagues, clients, friends and friends of his children came to him for practical advice and dry wit. He was generous with his time, knowledge and resources to anyone who needed help.
John was citizen of Detroit. His love for the city and metro region was based on many factors, from being a fifth generation Detroiter and his ancestral connections to architecture from the 1880's to his direct connection in the 1960s. He was made an Honorary Member of the Michigan AIA in the 70's.
He was a believer in life-long education and was an elected Trustee for eight years on Wayne County Community College beginning in the late 70's. He was proud that the building construction expansion to the four campuses came in on time and within the budget.
After living 48 years in Grosse Pointe, he moved to Henry Ford Village in Dearborn 3 years ago. At the Village he made many new friends who had not known him very long but understood and trusted him. He was privileged to serve as the first resident on the governing Board of Directors of Henry Ford Village.
John will be missed by his friends, colleagues and even competitors for his spirit, conviction, drive and trustworthiness. His traits will not be forgotten by the people whose lives he touched. John's mannerisms and idiosyncrasies will continue to live through his family. His memory will continue through what he meant to us and what he taught us.
His survived by his wife of 58 years Phoebe Coe, his sister Constance Grylls Sterne of Alameda, CA and his three children Lynn of Toledo, OH, Sheldon (Bernard Murphy) of Spain and David (Gloria) of Chula Vista, CA and his grandsons Colin, John and Ian Grylls of Chula Vista, CA and other extended family.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 12:00 P.M. at Henry Ford Village Chapel, 15091 Ford Road, Dearborn, MI. Arrangements made by the Wm. R. Hamilton Co.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in John K. Grylls' name may be to:
Quality of Life Connections
4364 Bonita Road #323
Bonita, CA 91902
Or the charity of your choice.