John S. Grigsby's Obituary
Dearly loved brother, father, grandfather, friend, colleague and physician, Dr. Steve Grigsby, 73, passed away Thursday July 15, 2021 at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, OK after an unexpected illness. John Steven Grigsby was born May 20, 1948 at Craig County Hospital in Vinita to John and Alene Grigsby of Welch. Young Steve Grigsby was shaped by a loving family and endless days playing baseball, basketball, hauling hay with classmates and hunting and fishing with grandfathers. While at Welch, Steve met the love of his life, Kay Grigsby to whom he was married for over 50 years.
Dr. Steve Grigsby attended medical school at the OSU College of Medicine after graduating from Michigan State University, Oklahoma State University and NEO A&M. In addition to excelling in the classroom, Steve's doctoral research was integral in developing the radioimmunoassay to measure insulin levels that is still used today. He competed on National Championship livestock judging teams and developed life-long friendships from people around the globe. Dr. Grigsby started a family practice in his hometown of Welch and then moved to Miami where he lovingly cared for multiple generations of patients who often considered him as their friend. Dr. Grigsby served as Chief of Staff at Miami Integris Hospital as well as a member of the Rural Health Board of Integris Health Systems in Oklahoma City, but lived out his career being the consummate rural health care provider.
Steve Grigsby was a long time member of First Christian Church in Miami and had recently attended First Christian Church in Big Cabin. Church attendance was a priority to him where illness and patients were the only things that kept him from a weekly service. Steve lived out his faith as was evident by how many people were not just touched by his medical knowledge, but his inexhaustible bucket of kindness, compassion and generosity.
His passion was people, but being a cattleman was his lifestyle. His days growing up, and his early collegiate schooling developed in him a love for the science of beef husbandry. With his son Derek, he formed what has become a well-respected cattle ranch aptly named Grigsby Ranch. Nestled on the banks of Cabin Creek, he spent his days away from the office with activities for and around the ranch.
The true loves of his life were his family. Together, he and Kay immensely loved their boys, their boy's wives who they considered to be daughters and, in more ways than can be measured, their nine grandchildren. Together Steve and Kay attended countless soccer, t-ball, basketball and football games along with plays, concerts and youth ranch rodeo events. They also spent many joy-filled hours with their grandchildren at cattle shows, watching movies, eating "man-breakfasts", fishing, hunting, driving "gators", shopping and having sleep-overs.
He is preceded in death by his parents, in-laws and his much-missed Kay. He is survived by his son Bricen and wife Amber of Jenks, OK and son Derek and wife Juli of Welch, OK, nine grandchildren being Dax and wife Bridgette, Davis, Sutton, Ella, Brody, Brenley, Gavin and Guthrie who kept sparkles in his eyes. He is also survived by sister Carole and her husband Jim Pallisard and brother Mark and wife Sharon Grigsby. He is survived by many other cousins, nephews and nieces.
Dr. Grigsby was loved by many and will be truly missed.
The family has asked that in lieu of sending flowers, please make a donation to:
Welch Public Schools Enrichment Foundation c/o Welch State Bank, P.O. Box 129 Welch, OK 74369.
Integris Miami Hospital Foundation, 200 2nd Ave. SW Miami, OK 74354.
Oklahoma State University College of Medicine, Center for Rural Health Care Scholarship https://secure.osugiving.com/grigsby
Services 2:00 Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at First Christian Church in Miami. Services are entrusted to the Thomas & Chenoweth Funeral Home in Welch, OK. Please see their website for viewing and visitation details.
Viewing
Sunday, July 18: 1pm - 5pm Thomas & Chenoweth Funeral Home in Welch, OK
Monday, July 19 8am - 3pm Thomas & Chenoweth Funeral Home in Welch, OK
Public Visitation - Social distancing and masks are encouraged.
Monday, July 19 5pm - 7pm First Christian Church Miami, OK Open to the Public
7:30pm - 8:30pm Family and extended family only
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?