James Patrick Grissom

On November 7, 2014, our beloved son and brother in Christ, James Patrick Grissom, 33 of Jamestown, North Carolina, went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior during his brief stay at Hospice Home at High Point. Patrick, as he was affectionately known, celebrated his 33rd birthday among close friends and his parents during his stay.

Patrick was born November 6, 1981 in Greensboro, and was a lifelong resident of the Triad . His early education included Greensboro Montessori, Wesleyan Christian Academy, Southwest Guilford High School, and Matrix Christian Academy, where he graduated “Valedictorian” in the Class of 2000. After earning several scholarships to out-of-state universities, his long-term illness required him obtain his higher education locally. In the fall of 2000, he enrolled in the Transfer Program at G.T.C.C. , Jamestown Campus, majoring in Business and Math. While in attendance there, he tutored several older students in Math. His academic honors included “Who’s Who Among American High School Students”, Honor Roll and President’s List, National Merit Semi-Finalist, D.E.C.C.A. semi-finalist, and a member of the National Honor Society.

Patrick’s love of God and strong desire to serve others, led him to contribute too many charities and organizations. Foremost in his heart, he loved working with the National Kidney Foundation, especially during their local golf tournaments, and was a member of their Speaker’s Bureau. Equally important to him was his involvement in the International Fellowship of Christians & Jews, where he served for ten years in sponsoring the relocation of Jewish children from war-torn areas to Israel. He also made several large donations to the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Battered Women’s Shelters, and the Paralyzed Veterans Home of America. His love of animals was evident through his contributions and volunteer work with the National Humane Society, P.E.T.A., A.S.P.C.A., Best Friends of Utah, and the Carolina Veterinary Assistance and Adoption Group, Inc.

Patrick had a wide range of outside interests. As a youth, he enjoyed playing baseball in the Jamestown Youth league, and never lost his passion for the game of golf, playing several rounds even during his lengthy illness and subsequent dialysis treatments. He also enjoyed building model aircraft, and dearly loved his 1995 Ford Mustang. He was also an accomplished artist, and had hoped to become an illustrator for Marvel Comics.

As an only child, he is survived by his parents, Catherine T. Grissom and Darrell “Bud” Grissom, both of Jamestown; grandmother, Rhonda Grissom, of High Point; uncle, Doug Thomas, of Charleston, W.Va.; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Loraine and Ken Lehmann of Winston-Salem, Darrell Grissom of High Point, and maternal grandparents, Edna and James Thomas of Charleston, W. Va.

A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for 11 a.m., Thursday, November 13, 2014, at Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home, Sedgefield Chapel. Pastor David Wood Senior Minister of Crestwood Baptist Church in Winston-Salem will be conducting the service. Burial will be held in Guilford Memorial Park immediately following the service. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home, Sedgefield Chapel, located at 6000 High Point Rd., Greensboro, NC 27407. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the International Fellowship of Christians & Jews, [email protected].

The family would like to extend personal thanks to Pinecroft Station Fire Dept., Guilford County EMS, friends, loved ones, Crestwood Baptist Church, the many doctor, nurses, and staff of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, High Point Regional Hospital, Triad Dialysis Center, and the staff and caregivers of Hospice Home at High Point, for your thoughts, prayers, and assistance throughout Patrick’s life.