Michael R. Granat

August 8, 1942 - July 28, 2017

SOUTH BEND - Michael R. Granat, son of Michael C. Granat and Ann (Theede) Granat, died July 28, 2017 from heart failure in Clovis, California. Mike was born in South Bend, Indiana, August 28, 1942. He attended Lincoln School and graduated from Riley High School in the class of 1960. He graduated from Valparaiso University in 1964 with a BA in Business. He married Carol Mikel and moved to Kokomo, Indiana. The next year he moved to Southern California. Mike earned a Masters Degree in International Business from California State University, Long Beach. He spent his career promoting export business. He taught International courses at California State University, Fullerton. He was active in many Business Associations. He worked for Purex Corp., the British Consulate, and the Korean Trade Center before starting AmTrade International Corp., an export consulting company. In 1995, after his divorce, he married Leslie Smith. After moving to the Fresno, CA area, he continued to teach export business including at Fresno State. Mike is survived by the mother of his children, Carol Granat of Mission Viejo, CA; his son, Michael A. Granat of Clovis, CA; his daughter, Suzi Rodgers of Coto de Caza, CA; and his grandchildren, Blake Rodgers (San Diego), Anna Rodgers (NY), Brandon Rodgers (Coto de Caza), Michael A. Granat (Clovis) and MaryAnn Granat (Clovis). He is also survived by his wife, Leslie Granat of Clovis, CA and her children, Stefanie Moshier (Fresno) and Ryan Smith (Fullerton); and five step-grandchildren. Mike is also survived by his sister, Gail Granat McBride of Whittier, CA. A memorial service will be held at Whitehurst Funeral Home in Fresno, CA on August 18, 2017. Mike had two passions in life: fishing and International trade and travel. As a tribute to his hobby of fishing, his ashes will be scattered on the Pacific Ocean in October.

Published in South Bend Tribune on Aug. 6, 2017

jmc 6 aug 2017