James M. Grayson

He attended Phillips High School in Birmingham and graduated from the University of Alabama where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. During World War II, James was assigned to the 406th Infantry of the 102nd Division that landed in Cherbourg, France, in September 1944. He remained in combat until November 1944, when he was wounded in Germany. After convalescing in a hospital for several months, he was transferred to the Transportation Corps until the end of the war. James was awarded the WWII Victory Medal and the Purple Heart.

After the war, he met and married Janice Wood from Mobile, and they enjoyed 69 years of marriage. Janice passed away on February 8, 2016.

During their long, happy marriage, they enjoyed their large family, traveling the world extensively, and all of their time spent fishing and relaxing at Lay Lake and at the beach.

James was the successful business owner of Grayson Lumber Company and Warwick Development Company and was a long-time member of the Country Club of Birmingham, the Exchange Club, and Mountain Brook Baptist Church. James also enjoyed tennis, fishing, and coaching little league baseball at Avondale Park.

He is survived by sons Jim (Debby) Grayson, Garry (Robbin) Grayson, Andrew (Pam) Grayson, and daughters Cathy (George) Crow, and Vicki Blair; his 17 grandchildren Loren (Chris) Chambers, Jay (Melinda) Grayson, Taylor (Michael) Clemmer, Warren (Daphne) Grayson, Emily Crow, Daniel Crow, Colin Grayson, Jeff (Limin) Grayson, Christine (Will) Smith, Liz (Jeff) Bolar, Harrison (Tao) Blair, Ginny (Andy) Schmidt, Walter (Nora) Blair, Bryan (Marissa) Grayson, Matthew (Katie) Grayson, Jonathan (Amy) Grayson, and Amanda Claire (Zealan) Hoover; and his 16 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Mary Louise Carr of Montgomery, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his parents Gertie Mae and Claude Hayes Grayson and his sister Margaret Ann Dix of Birmingham.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be directed to Big Oak Ranch, P.O. Box 507, Springville, AL 35146 (www.bigoak.org). The family will receive friends on Friday, June 22, 2018 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Ridout’s Valley Chapel in Homewood, Al (205-879-3401).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com.