George C. Grout

George C. (Bud) Grout passed away August 30, 2025 at the age of 95. He was born December 1, 1929 in the original St. Joseph Hospital at 4th & Polk Street in Phoenix to David and Ruth Grout, the fifth of six children. He grew up on a farm in West Phoenix and always felt fortunate for his childhood lifestyle where adjoining farm families liked and helped each other and friendships developed that lasted a lifetime. During the depression, with much unemployment, many families struggled for basic necessities almost daily. The world war changed everything and everybody. There was a shortage of farm labor, so he worked on the farm while helping neighbors with their needs. The work was difficult and a learning experience. He learned the value of hard work and responsibility while gaining a solid foundation for life’s challenges.

After high school with his keen talent for negotiation, he started a successful Custom-Harvesting business and later became interested in real estate. Phoenix was rapidly growing and he joined a major commercial real estate company in Phoenix as a broker. His clients were home builders, commercial and industrial developers and syndicators. He found over sixty station sites for various oil companies in the Valley. This was good involvement in an industry he enjoyed where he was the top earner in the company’s commercial real estate sales division for many years. Later he became a successful real estate investor and developer forming his own Grout Properties Company and other investment entities. This venture has been ongoing. He was able to do math in his head faster than others could do on a calculator from constantly using figures in the fields and on property. With his amazing memory he could remember current and early childhood events in his nineties.

His family was always central in his life. His commitment to family and business left little time for hobbies. When time was available, he played tennis with friends at local clubs. Grateful for his success, he was most generous to hospitals and medical research enhancing the lives of others. His son, Stephen, parents, Dave and Ruth Grout, sisters, Virginia Twitchell, Cornelia Hilton, Mary Robertson and brothers, Jack and Bill Grout predeceased him. He is survived by his wife, Gerry, his soulmate for 71 years; daughter Kay Robertson (Chris) in Christ Church NZ; grandsons, Ian Robertson in Christ Church and Quinn Robertson in Australia; daughter-in-law, Barbara Grout; niece Susan Ashcraft and many other nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was fond and appreciative of his caregivers, Elle, Barbara and housekeeper, Miriam. The family also wishes to thank Pat Hodges, Bud’s Farms Manager. His family offers thanks to the team at Hospice of the Valley for compassionate care during his final days.

A private graveside service will be held later by the family at the Memorial Garden of the Double Butte Cemetery in Tempe, Arizona; there will not be a public service. To honor Bud, make desired contributions to the Phoenix Children's Hospital in Phoenix, AZ.