James Grimison Obituary

MSgt. James Newton Grimison, Sr., USAF (Ret.) BRANCHVILLE, SC - James Newton Grimison, Sr., 81, entered peacefully into rest at his home on Saturday, January 3, 2015. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 10th at 11 AM at the Ott Funeral Home in Branchville, South Carolina. Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Mary Joanne Belt Grimison, his father, John Grey Grimison, his mother, Bessie Faye Chaffin Grimison, his brother, Joseph Grimison, and his half-brother, Jack Grimison. Jim was born in Clay Center, Kansas on February 2, 1933. After spending his childhood and teen years growing up in Clay Center, Jim spent a total of 26 years serving his country in the United States Air Force. Of that time, he spent four years in the Kansas Air National Guard before transferring into the Regular Active Duty Air Force, in 1953, where he served for 22 years as a Fuel Systems Specialist and Instructor. Jim was a Korean War and Vietnam War Veteran. After attending training school in the Air Force, he completed assignments at Biggs Air Force Base, El Paso, Texas; Grand Forks Air Force Base, Grand Forks, North Dakota; Clark Air Force Base, The Philippine Islands; Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Delaware; NKP, Thailand; Eglin AFB, Fort Walton Beach, Florida; and Charleston AFB, South Carolina. He retired as a Master Sergeant (E7) in 1975 in Charleston, South Carolina. After retiring, Jim resided in Summerville, South Carolina before moving to Branchville, South Carolina so that he could be closer to the Edisto River that he and his late wife loved so much. The South Carolina Lowcountry was his home during the last 42 years of his life. Jim stayed busy with his hobbies, fishing, and playing Spanish and classical guitar. Jim was a 32nd Degree Mason and Shriner. He spent many years actively involved in Masonic and Shrine activities in Charleston, Summerville, and Branchville. Jim was also a loving husband and father. Jim is survived by two daughters, Deborah Grimison Gasparich (Thomas) of Moncks Corner, SC, Vickie Grimison Myers (Artie) of Summerville, SC; a son, James N. Grimison, Jr. (Lori) of Dillon, SC; and a step-daughter, Susan Harth Nine (Thomas) of Warner Robins, GA. Jim also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Christopher Parker (Melissa), Bryan Parker (Lauren), James Grimison III, Courtney Threatt, Dana Bowman (David), Kasey Gasparich, Joel Grimison, Tyler Grimison, and 6 great-grandchildren. Jim will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Online condolences can be sent to www.ottfh.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston