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Memories of Fr. Jim
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March 8th, 2009
Dear Friends: It is with great shock and sadness I write to inform you that I was
contacted after church today by the American Embassy in London that Fr.
Jim had passed away in his sleep in his hotel last night. As you might
imagine because of the great distance details and arrangements will be
slow in coming unfortunately.
Like you, I feel an incredible sense of loss. Fr. Jim ‘s life and
ministry has been deeply woven into the fabric of our faith community
for quite some time. As such, as soon as we are able we will have a
glorious worship and lots of good food befitting a celebration for the
blessing Fr. Jim was to us all.
Blessings,
Brian
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March 11th, 2009
I did not want to return the call. I
knew that when the American Embassy in London was calling me that something
must have happened to Fr. Jim. As you hopefully know by now Fr. Jim died in
his sleep last Sunday in the hotel he was staying in after attending his
daughter’s wedding in Edinburgh.
The news was both shocking and sad. Since that phone call I have spent a
significant amount of time attempting to contact Fr. Jim’s family and work
with a whole host of details not the least of which is his dog, Maggie.
Jim and I met a number of years ago at a clergy conference when he first
came to serve at Grangeville. Even back then he was deeply ensconced in his
curmudgeon persona. We, however, hit it off – I think it was when I smiled
and said, “You really have this cranky old man thing down!”
As ECOR began to take off I attempted to get some help from the legions of
clergy at the Cathedral – to no avail. It was after Jim overheard me
pleading with said clergy that he asked if I would be interested in his
help. “That would be great Jim, but a heck of a commute from Grangeville.”
“I was thinking when I retire I will move to Spokane and help you – if
you’ll have me?”
Jim was an outstanding colleague in ministry. We met every week to discuss
pastoral concerns, educational offerings, worship services and to discuss a
wide range of theology, politics and “what was wrong with the world.” More
importantly, Jim was a loyal and faithful friend. He was consistently
supportive and honest with me.
My mind will miss our great “debates.” My soul will miss his incredible
depth of faith. My heart will miss my friend – my favorite cranky curmudgeon
who truly loved God, loved me and loved each and every one of you!
What a blessing our lives have been to have shared the journey with Fr. Jim.
For that I am eternally grateful.
Brian
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March 18th, 2009
When he was younger, Robert Weaver was none too sure about Father Jim. I
think it was the beard, as he held the same reservations about Jim Coy and
Michael Garrison Stuber. But he was nonetheless fascinated by Father Jim,
and we spent an entire service whispering about the machinations of Father
Jim.
"What's Father Jim doing now?" Robert asked.
"Father Jim is sitting down," I answered.
"Father Jim is sitting down," Robert whispered to his mother. Then, to me,
"What's Father Jim doing now?"
"Father Jim is praying."
"Father Jim is praying," he repeated to Vicki, who was also trying to pray.
"What's Father Jim doing now?" he didn't tire of the updates, however
mundane.
"Father Jim is standing."
"Father Jim is standing. What's Father Jim doing now?" he asked again.
"Father Jim is singing."
"Father Jim is singing."
It was around that time that he started walking out with the other children
at the end of the service. At first, firmly between his sisters, not too
close to Father Jim -- just close enough to keep an eye on him, and check
out that beard. And, eventually, closer, and even holding Father Jim's
hand. I think, even at first, he knew what most of us knew -- that under
his curmudgeonly crust, Father Jim was a gentle, loving man of God with a
big heart. He certainly demonstrated that to me each year for weeks after
Christmas, when he waxed poetic about the Christmas brunch.
What's Father Jim doing now? I hope the answer involves the dogs he's loved,
the people he's lost, and a feast -- the likes of which most of us have
only ever seen in the movies.
Jenna Weaver
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March 25th, 2009
When Every Sunday Fr Jim was seated at his table in the parish hall. As
I entered the room I went directly to him and said, "good morning,
Colonel." Both of us being retired from a branch of the military, he
returned my greeting by saying, "hello Chief." We developed a great
mutual feeling toward each other and his passing leaves a deep hole in
my heart. He always had time to reach out to the members with a kind
expression of friendship.
Although my time of exposure to Fr. Jim was somewhat brief I will always
consider that time as a period in my life I will cherish dearly. He will
surely be missed by all.
Sincerely,
David C. Ferguson
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March 25th, 2009
As all of us, I am saddened by the loss of a great man -- Fr. Jim.
It has been a long tradition that Fr. Prior always walks the younger
kids down the aisle at the end of Sunday service. Well, then along came
Katie, and for whatever reason, fell in love with Fr. Jim. She adored
him, and the first thing she had to do upon entering church was find him
and give him a big hug. I believe in his own way the feeling was mutual.
One of my best memories of father, was the day when Katie was just
little and she thought that it was sad nobody walked with Fr. Jim at the
end of service, so she went up walked right past Fr. Brian and grabbed
on to Fr. Jim's hand and they proceeded to go down the aisle. Well, that
day that great man had a smile that was ear to ear (and I believe he
even had a small skip in his step) all the way out of church and that's
a memory I will never forget.
We'll miss you lots,
The Davis family
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March 25th, 2009
As Father Jim always came downstairs on Wednesday mornings and visited
with the group working to get the weekly Resurrection Newsletter ready
to mail. We learned many interesting facts about him and the very
interesting life he has led. He has been a teacher, newspaper reporter,
spent time in the military (not necessarily in that order – I’m not sure
of the timelines on all of these) as well as the years spent serving the
church. He enjoyed his weekly volunteer work at Adams Elementary school
and always complained about having to go to the YMCA to swim or workout
which he did five days a week. We enjoyed hearing him tell about the
meals he prepared for himself. He did enjoy good food and looked forward
to the dinners, etc. at the church (as well as the leftovers everyone
sent home with him). His dog, Maggie was a very important part of his
life, as was his dog before Maggie.
We will miss our Wednesday visits with Father Jim as well as his
presence within the church.
Ann Waltman
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April 1st, 2009
As you hopefully know we will be gathering this coming Saturday, April
4th at 11:00AM to celebrate Fr. Jim’s life.
This is a wonderful opportunity as Jim’s church family and his friends
in the larger community to gather and give thanks for Jim’s life and
ministry.
While obviously the focus of our time together is about Jim, at the
heart our time together it is about those who knew and loved Jim coming
together.
We will come together to share our stories, our memories, our sense of
loss and our joy in knowing that Jim was a part of our lives.
We will do this first through music, prayer, Word and sacrament. Next we
will do this through our time of shared fellowship and food (you know
how much he would complain if there was no food).
In the end, what our celebration will be about (because Jim and I had
countless theological conversations about this very subject) is
thanksgiving that through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ Jim
is now a part of God’s greater glory.
I do hope you will join us as we truly celebrate the life and ministry
of Fr. Jim Grant.
Brian
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April 1st, 2009
Every Sunday, Fr. Grant gave me the privilege of straightening his Stole
and his collar, or when necessary to jokingly tell him he needed a
haircut. He always replied, “Do you really think so?” The last time I
said it he said he was going to shave his head. “Oh, no you’re not”, I
said. I’m going to miss him!
Barbara Latta
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April 1st, 2009
Father Jim enjoyed good food, or at least food he considered to be good.
Each time we hosted coffee hour, Fr. Jim would almost magically appear
at my side in the kitchen as I was spreading ham salad on crackers. "Ham
salad?" he'd ask, already knowing the answer. "Sure," I'd say. "Want
some?" He'd thank me profusely, smile, and munch a couple of crackers
before preparing for the 10:00 a.m. service. We'll remember him fondly,
especially when we host coffee hour.
One of my favorite Fr. Jim memories was seeing Mrs. Latta stopping Fr.
Jim before the service to straighten his stole and the hood of his robe.
Her gentle caring for his presenting a proper appearance, and his quiet,
honest appreciation for her efforts, said so much to me about them both.
I'll miss those quiet moments before the service very much.
Marlys Buzby
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April 1st, 2009
It is with a heavy heart that I remember Fr. Jim. He started visiting me
when my husband, Cecil was still with me. We all lived in Kennewick in
1949 & the early 50’s so we all reminisced about old times. Jim was the
Sports Editor for the Tri Cities Herald. All thru Cecil’s decline in
health, my two pastors were always there for me, in fact, Jim drove to
Kennewick and did Cecil’s grave side service.
Jim may have appeared to be an old curmudgeon when part of his problem
was he simply didn’t hear. He was the only one in the Parish who didn’t
know he was hearing impaired. Many of you know the story about my
inviting him to go to Costco with me when I needed my hearing aid
checked. My thinking was he could have an ear exam free. We were exiting
the freeway when he asked where the concert was being held. “No”, I
said, “COSTCO”! He enjoyed the Costco buffet; I even treated him to a
hot dog. When I headed for the hearing aid section, Jim was sitting
stiff as a board an aisle away!
One day when I went out to get my mail, my two neighbors were in the
street visiting and asked me who the grey-haired gentleman with the
beard, who came to call was. I just changed the subject, smiled and went
in the house. The next time Jim came to call, I told him if he ever came
wearing his clerical collar I wouldn’t let him in!
There was never a good cause he didn’t contribute to or a dessert he
didn’t like.
Jim was not only my Pastor but my friend and a loving member of my
“Faith Family”. We had some great discussions about life and the here
after and the hope we would recognize our family and perhaps be able to
say the “I am so sorry” that should have been said so long ago. He was
helping me to be a better person by reminding me of the second great
Commandment which I seem to have a problem with. I never ever hear Jim
say an unkind word about anyone. No one has ever served or loved our
Lord more passionately than he did. I guess the Lord needed him more
than we did so I guess I will just say “till we meet again dear friend”
Good bye and love...
Charlotte Anderson
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April 15th, 2009
So often we get to know someone in only one aspect of their lives; how
it impacts us. Father Jim was a man of many gifts and life experiences.
Did you know that he was a lawyer, journalist, sportscaster, competitive
college swimmer, loved sports, a U of W Husky, para trouper, retired
army colonel, coach, teacher, college professor, debater, prison
minister at San Quentin, army chaplain, animal lover, marriage and
family counselor, culture lover, taught classes at LC State about Viet
Nam, served in WWII, Korea and three tours in Viet Nam, philanthropist,
supported many charities, loved bagels, peanut butter/mayo, and
sometimes bologna grilled sandwiches, a cancer survivor, cherished his
kilt, and loved all sorts of music. Jim was a husband, father, brother,
friend, priest and pastor. All of these experiences made Father Jim who
he was. He did not want to be eulogized. It was not important to him for
us to know his accomplishments. If there was one thing that Father Jim
reminded us of often:" The Lord loves us and we should love others." Our
family was blessed in knowing Jim, we will miss him. Our prayers for him
and his family, until we meet again. He would always end our visit with:
"God Bless." and blessings to you Father James Grant.
Linda L Bordwell
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April 15th, 2009
Whenever I have finished a Reading I knew that I had done a good job.
How? Because of Father Jim. Whenever I finished a Reading I would sit
down in my seat and look where Father Jim was sitting and he would
always give me a wink. That means I did a good job. I hope Father Jim is
winking right now at all the people who bless God. I will never forget
his friendly face.
William Fisher
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