In Loving Memory of Obadiah “Butch” Grantland

Obadiah ” Butch” Grantland, age 51, of Melbourne, Florida passed away peacefully on June 1, 2024, after a hard fought two year battle with colorectal cancer. He was surrounded by his family who love him beyond words. Butch is survived by his wife of 32 years, Kelli Grantland and their two children, Macy and Brody Grantland who are a reflection of the lifelong love the couple were blessed with. Butch is also survived by his mother Cynthia Walker (Pace, FL), father Paul Austin (Satford, AZ), mother in-law Kay (Chuck) Steen (Milton, FL), father in-law Woodie (Beverly) Lowery (Sylacauga, AL) and many family and friends who will also forever hold on to his memory.

Butch was born on March 31, 1973 in Morenci Arizona and lived most of his childhood in the Milton/Pace area of Florida. Butch and Kelli met just before his senior year of high school and married in December of 1992. He joined the US Air Force in July of 1992 and served 6 years at Patrick Air Force Base in the AFTAC building. Butch worked for several years following his military career as a government and civilian contractor at AFTAC. His work history also included time at Harris Corp, Array Technologies and was currently employed at GE/Wabtec where he had worked for the past 10 years.

Butch was loved by all who knew him. One of Butch’s proudest accomplishments was the role he served as a coach and the Football Commissioner for the Melbourne Ducks Pop Warner program for 8 years. In these roles he had a tremendous impact on the youth and families in the community and he took that role seriously never missing an opportunity to instill values, life lessons and sharing his smile and wisdom with everyone around him. Butch stepped down as the Ducks Commissioner when son Brody moved up to high school football to allow time to help as an assistant coach at Eau Gallie High School. He had found his passion in coaching football and was proud of the positive impact he was able to make on so many people around him by giving of himself so selflessly. Butch not only gave of himself in this way with his family and coaching, but in every aspect of his life. He was truly an amazing man and has a beautiful legacy to show for it.

May Butch rest in eternal peace, free from pain, and may his memory continue to bring comfort to those who will long mourn his passing.

A celebration of life will be held in his honor on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at The Tides, Patrick AFB from 3pm-6pm.