John Grainger

John B. Grainger, passed away on Sunday, June 15th at his home in El Prado after living for many years with heart disease. Survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Marylin, brother Jim Grainger (Nelle) of Taos/San Carlos, Mexico, sister Leslie Grainger-Haynes (Ken) of Taos, half-brothers Mike Hoagland of Utah and Jon Hoagland of California, daughters Michelle (Steve) Austin of Sierra Vista, AZ; Dawn Grainger (Carlos Rojas) of Taos, NM; and Lora Grainger of Tucson, AZ, grandchildren include Ariel and Lauren Austin of Sierra Vista, AZ; Orion and Chloe Rojas-Grainger of Taos, numerous nieces and nephews, constant companion Noche. Proceeded by brother, Richard B. Grainger II, his parents, Dick and Margo Grainger of Canon, and Gerri Chandler of California. John was born in Nebraska on Jan.14, 1943. He was raised by his father, Dick Grainger in Cañon, attending Taos Public Schools until high school years when he attended NMMI in Roswell. During his childhood years he was involved in school sports such as football and skiing. John earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado and his Master of Science Degree in Audiology from Colorado State University. Upon graduation, John was employed as an Audiologist at the Colorado School for the Deaf in Colorado Springs from 1965-1967 and the South Dakota School for the Deaf in Sioux Falls, South Dakota from 1968-1970. From1970-1976 John was a Professor of Audiology in the Graduate School of University of New Mexico's department of Speech and Hearing Pathology. From 1976-1979 he established the corporation of Southwest Speech Language and Hearing which provided audiology and speech services to the Eight Northern New Mexico Indian Pueblos. In 1979 John, his wife Marylin, and their two daughters, Michelle and Dawn moved to Taos. Professionally during this time he was self-employed as Sandia Hearing Aid Center, traveling all over rural Northern New Mexico providing hearing aid services. John was also employed by the Taos Public Schools working with hearing impaired students. John's family and their activities were very important to him. He was actively involved in 4H and chess clubs. He served as Mayordomo, was a member of the Jeweler's Guild, a bee keeper and honey seller, and a self-professed dirt farmer/armchair scientist. John retired from his business and the public schools in 2005. In recent years he especially enjoyed traveling to Ireland and visiting family/friends throughout the United States and Mexico. A memorial service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church on Friday, June 20, 2008 at 11 AM. Reception to immediately follow in the adjoining Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Taos Knighthawks Junior Chess Club at P.O. Box 304, Arroyo Hondo, NM 87513 or Taos County 4-H Council, 5671 NDCBU, Taos, NM 87571.