Friends of the late Ulysses Samuel Grant, 69, of Milford, may call on the family from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1., at the Lofland Funeral Home, 102 Lakeview Ave., Milford, and from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2, at the Lincoln United Methodist Church, Second and Butler streets, Lincoln, where services will be held at 11 a.m.

Mr. Grant died peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, at home, following a long illness.

Born July 4, 1940, in Pitman, N.J., he was the son of the late George E. Grant and Lila F. Knaub Grant.

Mr. Grant graduated from Milford High School in 1959 and proudly served in the United States Navy from 1959 to 1963. After returning home, he served an apprenticeship with I.B.E.W. L.U. 126 in Pennsylvania. After working across the eastern United States as an outside lineman, he joined the Millwrights and Machinery Erectors L.U. 1545 out of Wilmington, and worked in Delaware until retiring from the construction trade in 2000.

While working in heavy construction, he owned and operated, with his wife and children, the Mason Dixon Honey Farm and Peach Orchards and Grants TV Antenna and Welding Services.

He was proud of the fact he was the largest beekeeper in the state of Delaware.

After retirement, Mr. Grant enjoyed spending time with his family. He enjoyed attending Naval Reunions with his wife, collecting and refurbishing old machinery, collecting Civil War memorabilia, researching family history, and hunting bear, fishing and traveling. He also enjoyed working on many projects in the community and on his farm, for he loved to work.

He was a devout Christian who enjoyed reading the Bible and attending church with his family.

Mr. Grant served as a commissioner on Kent County Levy Court. In 2006, he was nominated to run for the seat in the state House of Representatives in the 33rd District. He was a life member of the National Rifle Association; a Past Master of Temple Lodge No. 9 A.F. & A.M.; Past Grand Junior Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Delaware; a member of the Knights Templar of St. Andrews Commandry No. 2; a member of the Cedarfield Rotary; the American Legion C.K.R.T. Post No. 7 in Harrington; a member of the U.S.S. Holder Association; and the Tin Can Sailor Association.

He also was the former drummer of Precious Memories Gospel Band as well as being a proud American.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Harriet Jane “Rachel” Grant.

Mr. Grant is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, David S. and Mary Elizabeth Grant of Milford; and three daughters, Rachel F. Messick-Klensch and her husband Lew, of Milford, Yolanda A. Messick and her husband Rodney L., of Milford, and Anna Marie McBane and her husband William J. McBane III, of Lincoln.

He also is survived by three sisters, Bernice Moon of Longmont, Colo., Janice Henry of Oregon, and Nancy Talbot Cottonwood, Ariz.; a brother, Gregory Grant of Theresa, N.Y.; and seven grandchildren, Bryant Messick, Joshua Messick, Jacob Messick, John McBane, Laura McBane, Sarah McBane and Emily McBane.

Burial with military honors will be in the Milford Community Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Grant’s name may be made to the Millwood Community Center, 332 Ward Branch Lane, Milford, DE 19963-5446; or to the Home of the Brave, 6632 Sharps Road, Milford, DE 19963-4144.