James Ray Grisham, Jr

James Grisham was called to be with the Lord on November 25, 2005. Services will be at 1:30 PM, Monday, Nov. 28, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with Rev. Drew Wilson officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial North Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 5:00 PM, Sunday, Nov. 27, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Jim was born in Alton, Illinois to James Ray and Margaret Louise Burris Grisham. He moved to Waco in 1946 and attended Waco High School and Baylor University. He was in the U. S. Army from 1953 to 1956 serving at Ft. Hood, TX, Camp Chaffee, AR and Germany. On December 22, 1956 he married Sylvia Doris Williams. Jim worked at General Tire & Rubber Co. for 36 years, retiring in 1991 when the factory closed. He then worked at Marathon Technologies, Persona Inc., Ridgecrest Retirement Center and Lynn’s Pharmacy. Jim didn’t believe in retiring because he loved to work and be of service to others. He left a legacy of generosity, mercy, loyalty, forgiveness, faithful, trustworthy, unconditional love & acceptance, integrity, supportive, giving, sacrificial, tireless and a great sense of humor. He was a member of Park Lake Drive Baptist Church where he served as youth director, Sunday school teacher and coach for basketball and softball teams. He also coached his own children many years in baseball, football & basketball. He served as a mentor to boys in the Bill Logue Juvenile Detention Center and was a member of Bible Study Fellowship International. For the past several years he enjoyed studying and researching family genealogy. In 2003, Jim was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer and underwent major surgery at M.D. Anderson. After treatment and recovery from that he remained active until November 2004 when he was diagnosed with a primary brain tumor. Courageous and brave through it all, Jim found his hope and peace in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and was an inspiration to all. Survived by his wife, Sylvia Grisham of Waco; sons, James Ray Grisham, III and fiancée Paula Johnston, Kyle Gene Grisham and wife Melanie; daughters, Patricia Ann Propes and husband, Pat, Melissa Kay Landrum and husband, Derin; grandchildren, Jennifer, Jimmy, Jacob, Jessica, Kyla, Kerri, Caleb, Ashley, Ryan, Blake, Will, and Hayden; great granddaughter, McKenzi; brothers, Gary Wayne Grisham and wife, Carolyn, Terry Layne Grisham and wife, Cindy; three nieces, one nephew and brothers-in-law Charles, Durwood and James Williams. Pallbearers are James R. Grisham, III, James R. Grisham, IV, Jacob Grisham, Kyle G. Grisham, Ryan Brown, and Derin Landrum. Love and appreciation is given to Hillcrest Hospice, Hillcrest Home Health Care, M.D. Anderson doctors, nurses and therapists, Harris Creek Baptist Church, and Park Lake Drive Baptist Church. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey