Grant Belden

Grant Ewing Belden passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2016, on his 34th birthday as the result of an airplane accident in Big Horn County, Wyo.

Born December 7, 1982, in Fort Collins, Colo., Grant was the son of Brett and Isabel Belden. The family later moved to Thermopolis where Grant graduated from Hot Springs County High School. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in Rangeland Management and Watershed Ecology, and later became a Wildlife Specialist for Wildlife Services, USDA.

On June 26, 2010, Grant married Nikki Arnold in Shell, Wyo. He was a devoted husband and father. He has two young boys who were his pride and joy, Carson and Dayson.

Grant took his first flying lesson at the age of 13 and then soloed at 16. He continued to fly and took additional training in Cedar City, Utah. He earned both private and commercial pilot licenses. Grant was an avid outdoorsman who loved raising his young family in Wyoming. He was renowned for his keen eyesight and hearing, along with his expert marksmanship.

Grant is held in the hearts of his parents, Brett and Isabel Belden; wife, Nikki and children, Carson and Dayson; sister Belle Belden (Dusty Mills); in-laws, Doug and Mary Arnold of Fairfield, Iowa: grandfather, W.B. Ben Belden of Thermopolis; sister-in-law, Natalie (Layton) Severeide of Lovell, Wyo. and brother-in-law, Charles Arnold of Denver, Colo.

A memorial and celebration of Grant's life was held December 14 in Thermopolis.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Belden Family Fund established at the Bank of Thermopolis to assist with the children's education.