Rev. Grant Arthur Kilps
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 9, 1946Departed in Melbourne Village, Florida, on July 5, 2019
On Friday, July 5th, 2019, The Rev. Grant Arthur Kilps, of Melbourne Village, Florida, passed away at the age of 73. Grant was born on May 9, 1946, to Donald and Elaine Kilps. On June 15th, 1968 he married Barbara Jane Basilius. They raised two daughters, Jen and Amanda, and adored their two granddaughters, Grace and Iona.
Grant worked as a contractor in the family business. He received his M.Div. from Christ Seminary Seminex in St. Louis, MO in 1980. During his life he started a school, a church, served as pastor in several Lutheran churches, taught high school and at Eastern Florida State College.
Grant was known for his love of teaching and preaching. He had an open and curious mind which he used to engage students and parishioners alike. His ubiquitous phrase was, “Now let me play devil’s advocate”. He learned from others as much as he educated and taught people how to think.
He loved music passionately and his granddaughters even more. They were the light of his life. The Green Bay Packers must also be mentioned. He was known for his sense of humor, his open mind and his love of his family.
Grant was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Elaine. He is survived by his wife Jane, daughters Amanda and Jennifer, son-in-law Ted, granddaughters Grace and Iona, brother Bill, and sister Kathy.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 15th at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 105 W. Hibiscus Blvd, Melbourne, FL at eleven o’clock. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community of Hope of Melbourne, Florida in Grant’s memory.
