Robert C. Granger Sr.

Robert (Bob) C. Granger, Sr. 93, born October 17, 1929, the son of the late G. Bruce and Grace A. Granger, in Pontiac, Michigan. Beginning at the age of 8 years, he was guest soloist on "Christian Radio" in Lapeer, Michigan, a member of the University of Michigan Marching Band at age of 16 and was choir director at the age of 17 at Lookout Mountain Baptist Church of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Bob attended Bob Jones College and was a member of the Traveling Brass Quartet. He and his wife were both on the music staff of Youth for Christ International, Inc. Along with his wife, Noreen, Bob was Minister of Music at several churches in Michigan, Tennessee, North Carolina and Florida. He was a student at Detroit School of Mortuary Science and was employed at Farmer-Snover Funeral Home in Pontiac, Michigan. Bob was a Recreational Therapist with the Michigan State Hospitals He and his wife were instrumental in starting Faith Baptist Church in Waterford, Michigan. Coming to Orlando, Florida, Bob and his wife were both on the staff of Orlando Baptist Temple. He went on to be a Licensed Florida Realtor and was the largest Custom Home Builder in Central Florida at the time. Bob was very active in the Mid-Florida Home Builders Association and was on the Board of Directors for the National Home Builders Association, Chicago, Illinois. He later took advanced study at Luther Rice Seminary and along with his wife started a Youth Ministry to the Cherokee Indians in Western North Carolina. Together, Bob and his wife formed "Sound of Youth" in Graham County, N.C. While in North Carolina he was Operations Manager of Fontana Village Resort. Returning to Florida, he became the Pastor of First Baptist Church of Sorrento, where he pastored for 13 years, before retiring. He married Noreen Doris Smith of Pontiac, Michigan in 1950. She was a pianist, organist and a business secretary. A wonderful partner and was involved in all phases of their ministry and work. She was a tremendous help-mate and supporter. Without her, much of the work would not have been accomplished. After retiring from the pastorate, Bob and his wife purchased a motorhome and traveled as far west as Texas and northeast to Newfoundland Canada. Later they bought a second home on the St. Johns River in New Brunswick, Canada, where his wife was born. They spent their summers there doing some supply work for local churches. Bob is survived by 3 sons, Robert C. Granger, Jr. (Beth) of Eustis, Ted S. Granger, Sr. of Grand Island, James B. Granger (Al) of Mount Plymouth, FL; 4 grandchildren, Jeremy Granger, Jennifer Granger, Amanda Mallon, Steven Granger; 4 great-grandchildren, Garrett, Aubrey, Brooklyn, Olivia. He was preceded in death by his parents, G. Bruce and Grace Granger; wife of 64 years, Noreen D. Granger; brother, Keith Granger; wife, Dorothy Ann Harden Granger. Services will be held at the Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 1:30 PM. Private interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Eustis. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cornerstone Hospice, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778. Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis.