Dean L. Grignon

Dean L. Grignon, 77, of Burlington, Ky, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, May 29, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Florence, KY. Dean was born April 6, 1944 in Mt. Pleasant, IA the son of Wilbur and Emma (Deichmann) Grignon. On November 10, 1972, he married Teressa Griggs. She passed away June 30, 1993, in Pekin, IL. On February 14, 1997, Dean married Gail Smith. He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years; a stepson, Trevor (Carrie) Smith of Carlock, IL; five step grandchildren: Ian, Lucas, Lily, Henry, and Liam; one brother, Dale Grignon of Winter Springs, FL; one sister, Debbie Bryan of Daytona, FL; and many cousins. In addition to his parents and first wife, Dean was preceded in death by his stepmother Pauline and stepson Cody Smith. As a youth, Dean enjoyed playing baseball and pitched for American Legion Baseball in Ottumwa, IA. In 1960, he led his team to the state victory. They went on to place second in the regional championship game held in Bismarck, N.D. Dean graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1962. He began his golf career in 1965 as a golf assistant. He worked at several golf courses and eventually became the Golf Pro for Pekin Country Club in Pekin, IL. Dean was a lifelong member of the PGA. He loved the game of golf and enjoyed helping others improve their game. He attended many Masters Tournaments in Augusta, Georgia, which inadvertently landed him in a center spread of Sports Illustrated as a spectator watching the up-and-coming Tiger Woods. In his retirement, he spent many hours walking the links and hitting balls. He enjoyed watching golf and baseball. He was a fan of the Cincinnati Reds. For the last 21 years, Burlington, KY has been his home. Dean will be remembered as a disciplined and hard-working man. Despite a life-changing spinal cord injury, he maintained a grateful heart to the Lord for the life he felt blessed to have had. He worked hard at therapy with his characteristic determination and discipline. He continued to enjoy living while learning to walk again with a contentedness that was inspiring. As his family, we are forever grateful to all the medical and healthcare professionals who helped Dean in his recovery and rehab. We could not have done this without all of you. A special thanks to the phenomenal Physical Therapy Group at Florence Park Care Center. He wanted to walk again and he did. Right into the arms of Jesus. Interment will be in the Burlington Cemetery, in Burlington, KY. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

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