James "Jim" F. Granger Jr.

Mr. James F. “Jim” Granger, Jr., 84, of Camp Hill, PA passed away peacefully on Saturday, 5 April 2025 after a courageous battle with lung cancer. He was born to the late James Sr. and Isabelle Granger of Salamanca, NY on November 10, 1940. Although he spent the majority of his days in Pennsylvania, his love of the brilliant blue New York sky lasted his entire life.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kathryn Mae (Conrad), originally of Selinsgrove, PA; son, David, of Camp Hill, PA; daughter, Debra Murray (William) of Virginia Beach, VA; granddaughter, Jenna Kline (Jordan) of Punta Gorda FL; grandson, Evan (Natalie) of Westminster, MD; their mother, Jill Granger of Manchester, MD; granddaughters, Evelyn and Kathryn Murray of Virginia Beach, VA; and his first great-granddaughter, Nora Granger. His is also survived by his brothers, Harry and Herbert, numerous nephews and nieces, and a multitude of cousins. His was pre-deceased in death by his son, Dana Allyn, of Ocala, FL. He cherished his roles as a husband, father, uncle, and, Ponka, the moniker for granddad bestowed upon him by his first grandchild, Jenna.

After graduating from Salamanca High School in 1959, Jim served in the United States Army, and later the reserves, as a logistics and medical records specialist, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class. He made transportation and logistics his life’s work, serving as a manager with UPS, Follmer Trucking, Pilot Freight Carriers Inc, Maislin Trucking, and finally retiring from Ward Trucking after 23 years of service. He enjoyed a post-retirement position as a bank courier from Commerce/Metro Bank. He was a proud member of the Masons, Moose Lodge, Friends of Letchworth State Park, and the American Legion. He was awarded the American Legion Medal of Honor.

He embodied the motto “leave everything better than you found it”. This translated into reorganizing grocery store shelves, raking neighbor’s leaves, and most often, clearing litter from walkways and paths in his daily travels. This is also how he meet many acquaintances, greeting them with his signature, “My friends call me Jim” statement.

A celebration of life is planned for early summer in Selinsgrove, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to either Hospice of Central Pennsylvania or Camp Kesem’s North Carolina State University chapter, where his granddaughter Kate is a chapter officer. Kesem is a 501(3c) organization that provides year round support to children impacted by a parent’s cancer. Donations directly fund a week long summer camp that is free to campers and their families. https://donate.kesem.org/fundraiser/5846987