Grant Shrum

Grant Arthur Shrum was born in Bollinger County, Marquand, Missouri on April 9, 1926. Grant was in the Army Air Corp during World War II. He later graduated from the University of Missouri in 1948. He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Alma Lou Stephens, children Janet Lynne Wright, David Arthur (Shari) Shrum, Peggy Ann (Chuck) Henson, 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

In 1958, Grant became Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National 4-H Foundation in Washington, D.C. By 1961 every State participated in the development of programs and expansion of the Foundation Center. These programs added significantly to new educational dimensions to teach citizenship and volunteer leadership using the Nation’s Capital as a classroom for thousands of teens. He promoted and expanded the International Farm Youth Exchange among 80 countries including the Soviet Union during the Cold War. He built and expanded a strong partnership between the private sector and the State Land Grant University system. The 4-H participation expanded from 250,000 to over 5 million when he retired.

His career was eclipsed only by his dedication to the Lord and his love for his family. The dash between the dates of 1926 and 2020 is populated by a multitude of lives changed by Grant Shrum.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 26, 2020, at 11:00 AM, at Marvin Chapel Church in Bonne Terre.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to

National 4-H Council, 7100 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815

Huntsville Hospital Foundation / Hospice Family Care, 801 Clinton Ave. E., Huntsville, AL 35801

CrossPointe Church, 78 Hughes Road, Madison AL 35758