Grant L. Cooney of Hermiston died on Sept. 8, 2026 in Hermiston at the age of 86.
He was born on Sept. 19, 1939 in Pasco, Wash. to Lyle and Almamae Kittrell Cooney.
Grant was raised and attended schools in Pasco, Wash. He attended Northwest Christian College in Eugene. After that, he attended the Claremont School of Theology in California from 1964 to 1968 and graduated with a doctorate in religion and psychology. He married Marguerite Amstadt on Dec. 29, 1957 in Pasco, Wash. and to this union came Brent, Chad and Seth. They later divorced and Grant married Elizabeth (Eileen) Lacey on Aug. 25, 1976 in Vancouver, Wash. She died in December 1999. Grant later married Dorothy Smith and she died in December 2025.
He served as a pastor in area churches over the years and had a counseling practice. Grant was very active in Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, where he served in numerous capacities and volunteered in many community projects. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and could fix anything with wire and duct tape.
He is survived by his sons, Brent Cooney, Irrigon, Chad Cooney (Jennifer), Joseph, and Seth Cooney (Paula), Hermiston; grandchildren, Sidney, Ally, Myah, Joseph and Tanner; and six great-grandchildren.
Grant was preceded in death by his wives, Eileen and Dorothy; his parents; and a brother, Chet Cooney.
Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, Hermiston.
A private burial will be at St. Anthony Cemetery, Tigard.
Please share memories of Grant with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
