Remembering Alan Grainger, 1949-2026

Family and friends wil gather in October to celebrate the life of Alan Grainger, and are sharing this remembrance with his community now:

Alan Grainger was born in County Durham, England, on June 21, 1949, to Jean and Charles Grainger. He joined his older sister, Barbara, and was followed six years later by his younger brother, David. Alan attended Grangefield Grammar School in Stockton-on-Tees, and went on to the University of Nottingham, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Environmental Design. With the help of a Rotary International Graduate Fellowship, he pursued a Master’s degree in Architecture at the University of Washington, where he met his wife of 52 years, Kathy Welch.

Alan began his professional career as an architect at the offices of Dennis Taylor Bell in London. In 1975, Alan and Kathy returned to Seattle, and Alan began work at the Bumgardner Architects. It was at Bumgardner that he met Bill Gaylord, Chris Libby, and Clayton (O’Brien) Smith. In 1986, the four friends left Bumgardner and started their own firm, Gaylord Grainger Libby O’Brien Smith Architects, becoming known as GGLO. They were soon joined in their partnership by Carol Deal Schaefer.

In his 31 years at GGLO, Alan was responsible for numerous mixed-use, affordable, low-income, and market-rate housing projects with the City of Seattle and King County, including master plans for High Point, GreenBridge, and Yesler Terrace. He also helped design several small luxury hotels and inns throughout the Puget Sound and along the West Coast. Over the span of his career, Alan always contributed to community efforts through Citizen Advisory, Design Review, and other Boards for the City of Seattle, University of Washington, Bainbridge Island School District, City of Bainbridge Island, Plymouth Housing, and the Fauntleroy Community Association.

In addition to tending to the health and wellbeing of our community, Alan was devoted to his immediate and extended family. He especially loved being Dad to daughter Lily and Papa “Pops” to his granddaughter Jo. Lily and Jo were truly the joy and light of his life. Alan never missed a parent-teacher conference, piano recital, symphony concert, or other special event for Lily, and then, with Kathy, served as a primary caregiver for Jo. During retirement, as during his career, Alan maintained a passion for gardening, cooking, following politics and current events, helping with design projects for friends and family, and the fellowship of his longstanding book group.

Alan passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026, at his home in West Seattle. He leaves behind his wife, Kathy, daughter, Lily, granddaughter, Jo, brother, David, and a large and loving family of nieces, nephews, brothers- and sisters-in-law, his book group “brothers,” and the best and most loyal friends in the whole wide world.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Alan’s memory may be made to The Marfan Foundation, DESC, or Plymouth Housing, with our gratitude.

A Celebration of Life is planned for October 24, 2026, 2:00 – 5:00 PM, The Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98136. Please let us know if you’re able to be with us: october24rsvp@gmail.com.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

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