Rodney Gordon Grantham

Scaly Mtn., NC -Rodney Gordon Grantham, age 80 of Rocky Knob Lane, Scaly Mtn., NC passed away Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at his residence. He was born in Jamestown, NY, the son of the late Rodney Gordon Grantham, Sr and Irene Wahl Grantham. He served as a surgical scrub nurse in the US Navy during WWII and the Korean War. He had a long career as a Hydrologist specializing in ground and surface water for the US Geological Survey. He was also a musician for a number of years playing both saxaphone and clarinet. While stationed in Yokuska, Japan, during the Korean War, he began the study of Judo, eventually reaching the rank of third degree black belt. After returning to the states he began teaching judo and established several judo schools in Alabama. In 1967 he began the study of Aikido and reached the rank of sixth degree black belt.

He founded the Aikido Center of Atlanta which is the third oldest Aikido dojo on the East Coast and is still in existence having been given over to one of his students. He and his wife Janet also collected Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e) and amassed a collection spanning 250 years. He became one of the few experts in the Southeast and did appraisals and identifications. They exhibited parts of their collection at Japan Fest and Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, GA and at The Bascom-Louise Gallery in Highlands, NC as well as several other places.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Janet Davids Grantham; one step-daughter, Christine Reid Shaw of Atlanta, GA; three sons, Rodney Grantham, III of Roswell, GA, Dana Grantham of Hartwell, GA and Mark Grantham of Atlanta, GA; one step-son, Steven LeConte Shaw of Silver Springs, MD. Three grandchildren also survive. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Marie Grantham and a son Richard Grantham.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Atlanta, GA

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Highands-Cashiers Hospice, 190 Hospital Drive, Highlands, NC 28741.

Online condolences are available by visiting www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com or by email.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.