Grant Michael Blacksmith, 37, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly, Friday July 8, 2022.

The son of Michael and Brenda (Chapman) Blacksmith, he was born January 19, 1985 in Kirksville, MO.

Grant is survived by his loving parents and step parents, Mike and Lena Blacksmith of Kirksville, MO and Brenda and Michael True of Lebanon, MO; his sister and brother-in-law, Stephanie (Blacksmith) and Joe Mitchell, and son, Jackson Mitchell of Key West, FL; two step sisters, Heather Parks and husband Clint of Greentop, MO, and Tonya Beaty and husband Brian of Kirksville, MO; step brother, Eric Sullivan and wife Jo of Hurricane, UT; other step nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles, Lynn (Ted) Kellison and Cathy Gregory all of Kirksville, MO; as well as his special friends in his life, Bill and Peggy Harker, the love of his life Seda Bayrakcioglu of Istanbul, Turkey, Daniel Joyner, Jeff and Denise McVay, and Brent, Taren, and Charlie Shafer.

Grant was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Leota Blacksmith; his maternal grandparents, Milford and Ruthine Chapman; two uncles, Darrell Gregory and Larry Chapman; and a cousin, Jason Davis.

Grant was a graduate from Kirksville High School with the Class of 2003. At the time of his death, Grant was employed by McVay Lawn Care Service and Shafer Snow Removal.

Grant was a free spirit. He had a journey some could only dream of. At the age of 20 he moved to California with several close friends. After a few years he moved to Key West, Florida to be close to his sister. He had a passion for cooking and had a variety of jobs in this field. He never turned down a chance to make a delicious steak for anyone. He lived through hurricane Irma and the year after returned to Kirksville to make his home in 2020.

Grant enjoyed fishing from the time he was a kid with his grandfather Emmett Blacksmith and Roy Risher all the way to fishing in the Gulf. He loved all animals and was currently raising a fleet of ducks, thirteen to be exact.

To Grant, family didn't have to be blood. He never met a stranger. He was the most laid back, chill, go with the flow kind of man. Every chapter of his journey he made memories with all of us that will cherish forever.

The Blacksmith and Pope families will receive friends on Sunday, July 17, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Grant has been cremated and a celebration of his life will take place from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. St. Andrews, 500 S. Osteopathy Kirksville, MO, on Saturday, July 23, 2022.

A Celebration of his life will also take place at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, July 30, 2022 at the Moose Lodge in Kirksville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lena Blacksmith and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville MO 63501.