Leanna,

I truly believe in the power of prayer also, and Greg is constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
Stay strong, and keep fighting!

Akin Family

I know there may not be much change in Greg's condition right now but...how is he doing? Is he still getting better? Staying the same? He is constantly in my prayers.

I just finished sending out emails requesting prayers for the Graters. I would ask that everyone remember this family, send out prayer requests for them and have others praying for them on a regular basis. I'll leave it at that for now, but will say, that I know Leanna and the boys would appreciate the prayers and support now more than ever.

March 02, 2006

Greg Grater's valiant efforts to overcome his illness came to an end this morning!

Please keep Leanna and the boys in your prayers?

When details on the services are available they will be posted!

This is a sad day reflecting on a wonderful man that gave so much to our sport. I'll miss seeing Greg at the tournaments with that hat on. Our prayers are with the family.

From all of us at Easton Rams Wrestling Club, We wish to send to your our deepest sympathy in your time of despair.
All of us have had Greg and your family in our prayers.
We will honor Greg at our tournament this weekend with a moment of silence to reflect on a well respected man.
Again, Our prayers go out to Leanna and the rest of the Grater family.

Easton Rams Wrestling Club

Manhattan mourns the loss of a truly great supporter of wrestling in the state. His leadership will be missed. Leanna, Danny & Gavin our thoughts and prayers are with you on this day.

Brad Johnson
MOKWC

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Leanna, Danny and Gavin. The success of Kansas wrestling is greatly due to Greg. He will be greatly missed.

Brian Schumacher
Hays Wrestling Club

I echo all the feelings for and about Greg.

Our best wishes and thoughts to Leanna and family.

Klint Deere and family

A truly great man! I cannot say enough to express my feelings for his contribution to the Kansas Wrestling youth. Greg will be missed and will never be forgotten. Leanna and kids be strong, for our hearts and prayers are with you.

Mark, LuAnn, Mike, Lindsey and Steve

Kansas Kids leader Greg Grater passed away on March 2
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
03/02/2006

Greg Grater of Green, Kan., a USA Wrestling’s Kids wrestling leader, passed away on March 2 reportedly from complications brought on by acute pancreatitis.

Along with his wife Leanna, Greg was named 2004 USA Wrestling Kids Person of the Year for all of his contributions to youth wrestling on the local, state and national levels.

“Greg was totally committed to providing the best opportunities possible for the youth interested in wrestling,” said USA Wrestling’s State Chairperson for Kansas Mike Juby. “I learned fairly quickly that he was a highly focused man who would not accept less than the best for the wrestlers of our state.”

The Graters served as tournament directors for the Kids/Cadet National Folkstyle Championships for six years (1998-2003) and the Southern Plains Regional for many years. Greg served as a Board Member on the Corporate Board of USA Wrestling Kansas and has served as the state’s Kids Director since 1998.

In 1985, Greg re-organized the Kansas Kids Freestyle/Greco-Roman camp held annually prior to the Southern Plains Regional. Gregory also held the offices of State Director Elect (1984), State Kids Director (1985) and State Tournament Director (1987-1998). He is a bronze-level certified coach.

In 1972, Greg founded the Clay County Wrestling Club, one of the state’s largest youth wrestling clubs. He remains as the Club Director and head coach.

Greg was selected as the USA Wrestling State Person of the Year in 1997, and Leanna was named the USA Wrestling State Person of the Year in 2002.

“Over the years, Greg's contributions to wrestling have extended from his Clay Center Club, beyond the state's borders, to affect wrestlers across the nation. Our loss is truly a loss for wrestling fans throughout the country.Wrestling has lost a great supporter, and I have lost a great friend. However, the foundations that he laid, and the accomplishments that he made possible, will live on,” said Juby.

USA Wrestling offers its sincere condolences to his family and friends and asks the wrestling community to keep his wife Leanna and the boys (Courtney, Jacob, Danny and Gavin) in their thoughts and prayers.

Additional information on arrangements and memorials will be provided when available.

The Edison's prayers are with the Grater's. Greg may have left his shoes on the mat today, but now he is coaching Gabriel to do a mean Russian Tie, just like Danny. With the way things are now a days, he is gonna need some new moves for "wrasslin" (that's what Greg always did)with the devil.

God Bless and may he grant peace to the Graters and all of Kansas Wrestling.

Ed, Jenni, Jarrett, Jordan, Erica and Erin Edison

I have work with Greg for more years than one likes to say. He was what took Kansas Wrestling to the next level. He will be missed by me and all the people of Kansas wrestling. It will be hard to think of wrestling in Kansas without thinking of Greg Grater. It is people around the state like Mr. Grater that makes me happy to say
I'm form Kansas and yes we Wrestle.

Steve and Julie Herman

My deepest sympathy goes out to you Grater family. As has been said, without Greg and your entire family's work, the state of wrestling in Kansas would be much weaker.

--Brett Shoffner

We are sorry for the loss of Greg. We are still somewhat new to the wrestling community, but the little time that we knew of Greg and his family we greatley appreciate what he and his family have done for the wrestling community. Our prayers go out to the Grater family.

May God Bless You!

Stephanie, and Mike Puckett (Parents of Aaron Puckett from Bonner Springs Wrestling Club)

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Grater family. There are people who come on this earth, who can make a diference, Greg Grater made a difference.
May God Bless You!
Charles and Phyllis Knox

I was saddened when my sister called me at college earlier today and told me that Greg had passed away. I would like to send out my thoughts and prayers to Leanna and the boys. Greg was a great man and will be truly missed. God Bless you Leanna, Danny, and Gavin. Stay strong.

God Bless you always

We are so sorry to hear about Greg Grater's passing...may God bless all of his family, especially Leanna, Jacob, Courtney, Danny and Gavin. Our prayers are with you all.

Ronelle DeLaurentis and Damian Pflughoeft