July 16, 1940 – February 22, 2024

It is with immense sadness to announce the passing of Grant (Red) Heisler on February 22, 2024, at the age of 83. He will be fondly remembered by his loving family and friends. He was an amazing father to two daughters and a great friend to many. He lived life to the fullest while making sure to stop and smell the roses along the way. Grant would give someone the shirt off his back if they needed it. He was a very generous and selfless man with a big heart. He always had a positive outlook on life, even in his last days.

Red’s story: It was spring in the Nicola Valley and the year was 1964. A tall red-haired man came to the valley from Saskatchewan at the age of 23. His name was Grant Heisler, and he was determined to be a cowboy at one of the “big outfits in B.C.” After being employed at Douglas Lake Cattle company, he was respectfully given the nickname “Red”. Over the years he became a well-known cowboy in the valley and there are many stories about his cowboy career that make him somewhat of a legend. Later Red became a family man and took a job in Merritt as a janitor at the Bench Elementary school, where he became a legend there as well. After retiring he went back to doing what he loved and bought a horse. He continued to ride and help out wherever he could. In his late 70s he finally hung up the reins for good. Red would still visit his horse as much as he could, but Alzheimer’s disease eventually took over him. Please remember Red as the vibrant person he was, beloved by people and slightly more by every horse he met.

There will be a small gathering of family and friends to celebrate Grant’s life. If you are interested in attending, please contact pattyh3.82@gmail.com for further details. Thank you.

You may offer a message of condolence at Merritt Funeral Chapel for the Heisler family.

• Date : 2024-02-22
• Location : Merritt