Heath Michale Grantham

Heath Michale Grantham
October 27, 1976 – May 25, 2022

Heath Michale Grantham, 45, passed away on May 25, 2022, at his Ordway home. He was born on October 27, 1976, in La Junta to Fred R. & Michalle Kay (Bravo) Grantham.

He attended Swink Schools and graduated in 1995 as the class salutatorian. Heath participated for several years in the La Junta Children’s Theater. His most memorable role was as Spanky in “The Little Rascals”. During his senior year in high school Heath served as the state president of FCCLA. He also helped coach Swink Volleyball and played basketball and ran track. His specialty was the hurdles. After graduating from Swink High School, Heath attended Otero Jr. College and was the Associated Student Government President. He then attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Communications. Heath was a varsity cheerleader during his tenure as a CSU Ram and had the honor of cheering at several bowl games.

Upon his graduation from CSU, Heath began his career in Human Resources at Enterprise Rental Car as a recruiter in Denver, then at 24-Hour Fitness in both San Francisco and Denver, as well as the Director of Human Resources at Noodles and Company in Boulder.

Heath had a strong love and passion for volleyball, and in 2006 he started Altitude Volleyball Club in Denver and took club teams all over the US to compete. In 2011 he relocated to Swink and became the head volleyball coach for the Swink Lions. In the two years he coached at Swink, his varsity team qualified for the state tournament, and made it to the semi-finals each year. In the fall of 2013, Heath was hired by the East Otero School District as a secondary math teacher and head volleyball coach.

In 2016, his tenure began as a Math and English teacher in the Crowley County School District, where he remained until the time of his death. While at Crowley County High School, Heath was also an assistant volleyball coach, head track coach, junior class sponsor, and was in charge of prom and the concession stand. At the time of his death, his track team had just competed at the Colorado State Track Meet.

Heath loved spending time with his niece and nephews, making sure there were always some fun excursions whenever they were with him. Heath was a great caretaker of his Grandma Mandy Bravo and spent many hours with her.

He will be greatly missed by family, friends, students and student athletes and by his three fur babies, Buddy, Lola and Pia.

He is survived by his parents, Fred (Shelly) Grantham of Swink; siblings, Monica (Mark) Pijanowski of Littleton; Nick (Amy) Grantham of Ft. Morgan; nieces & nephews, Chris Pijanowski, Charlee Ann, and Thomas Grantham; grandparents, Mel Grantham of Grover, TX; Paula (Bob) Lucas of Guymon, OK; aunts & uncles, Dianna (Bill) Milenski, Jill (Dave) Ritter, Melyn (Chris) Johnson and Katie Martin; cousins, Ali & Kay Milenski, Lauren (Tess) Winston, Brent Ritter, Justin Johnson, Luke Johnson, Missy (Cody) Cartwright and Lisa (Keith) Schulz; fur babies, Buddy, Lola and Pia; also survived by many loving friends; as well as all of his students and athletes. Heath is preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank (Mandy) Bravo.

A Celebration of Life service will be Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the Crowley County High School Gymnasium with Mark Pijanowski officiating.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.