James Calvin Grissom

James Calvin Grissom January 12, 1924 – February 17, 2019 James Calvin Grissom passed away on Sunday, February 17, 2019, at the age of 95 at the Carriage Inn in Huntsville, Texas, his home for the last 3 ½ years. A visitation with friends and relatives will be held at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville on Saturday, February 23, from 4:00 to 6:00pm. Services will be held at 2:30pm on Sunday, February 24, at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Ebenezer Cemetery. The Rev Floyd Hoke will officiate. James was born in Richards, Texas where he met Billie Marie Johnson. He always said it was “love at first sight”. They were married on December 25, 1942, in Trinity, Texas. The next day James left for the US Navy without telling his parents he was married. That as a job left for Billie. James spent the first part of his service in San Diego, California. Billie joined him in San Diego until he was assigned sea duty. In early 1945 he was assigned to the USS Chauncey, a Fletcher class destroyer. The Chauncey was part of Task Force 58 sent to bomb the Japanese home islands in March of 1945. She later returned to participate in more air raids on Japan in the Pacific War’s final month. James worked at the Shell Refinery in Deer Park, Texas for 40 years, retiring in 1982. He and Billie lived in Pasadena and Deer Park while working at Shell, but returned to Richards following his retirement. He was a deacon at the Richards Baptist Church and church treasurer for 17 years. He was a 32nd degree Mason at Pasadena Lodge #1155 since 1957. James was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Billie, his parents, Thomas C. and Edna Foster Grissom, and his brother, Col. Thomas Cecil Grissom (US Army retired). James is survived by son James Grissom and wife Elizabeth of Spring, Texas; son Robert Grissom and wife Martha, of Dripping Springs, Texas; daughter Gail Grissom Lott of Houston, Texas; daughter Kay Grissom Murphy of Madisonville, Texas; sister-in-law Betty Phillips of Houston, Texas; five grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Condolences may be made @ www.shmfh.com.

James Calvin Grissom

January 20, 1924 - February 17, 2019