James’ Obituary James Gara Grisham, 72, of Arcadia passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2019 at his residence after an extended illness. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 24, 2019 at Davidson Funeral Home, Hickory Tree Chapel with Reverend Joey Yokeley officiating. The family will receive friends from 2pm to 3 pm prior to the service, and will also receive friends after the service at the Grisham home.
Mr. Grisham is preceded in death by his parents, Gara Burgess Grisham and Mildred Rose Grisham; brother, Charles Robert Grisham; and parents-in-law, Raynor F. Alden and Natalie Strong Alden. He is survived by his wife, Paula Alden Grisham and daughters, Amy Grisham (Mike) and Emily Artrip (Brandon); grandchildren, Mason James Artrip and Ella Rose Artrip; brother, John Grisham (Jane); cousins Betty Ann Broman and Judy Hill; Sisters-in-law, Linda Medlin, and Gail Alden; brother-in-law, Edward Alden; nieces, Stacey Glover, Miranda Howard, Evan Alden, and Andrea Stewart; Nephew, Luke Alden; great nieces, Taylor Glover, Lakin Howard and Sydney Howard; and his lifelong friends Stanley Newton and Tommy James. Mr. Grisham was born in Rogersville, Alabama on December 15, 1946 where he grew up on a farm raising cotton and tending cows.
He attended Lauderdale County High School, where he played football and baseball. He and his friends spent their free time hanging out on the Tennessee River and trying not to get into too much trouble. He attended Auburn University for a short time before joining the Navy, even though he was a lifelong Alabama fan.
James joined the Navy in 1968 and was stationed at Jacksonville Naval Air Station as ATN2, Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Four aka “Hurricane Hunters”. He was awarded the Air Medal with the Bronze Star from the President for meritorious achievement in an aerial flight in Hurricane Camille and flew weather reconnaissance for Apollo 13 in 1970. After the Navy, Jim held several positions in the railroad industry, relocating his family several times and always on the road supervising the construction of railroads and railyards up and down the Atlantic seaboard, from Alabama to Massachusetts, while working for Atlas Railroad Construction Company.
In the late 80’s Jim retired from the railroad to be home full time. During this time he worked tirelessly on the beginnings of the North Davidson Athletic Complex. He later started his own business, Grisham Services, but, still traveled the roads daily meeting with his customers and was always around when his girls needed him.
Flat tires, broken down or wrecked cars at separate ends of the state, moving, or fixing or building whatever they needed; he was always there. He enjoyed spending time with grandchildren and working in his garden. A special thank you to Dr. Stephen Potts, Shanaee and the PENTA Staff, Dr. Timothy Collins and the D.L. Davis Cancer Staff, Dr. Aimee Lischke and Staff, Trellis Supportive Care and his caregivers from Home Instead of Lexington.
Memorials may be made to Trellis Supportive Care (Hospice) and to the North Davidson Athletic Association.
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