Come back… I think about you often. I miss you.

I first met Jim when he moved to Texas to work in Aldine ISD as a first year teacher. We worked together first at Grantham and then again at MacArthur.  I always called him Grotie. We are all so sad that we lost him at such a young age. I will continue to pray for you, his wife and daughters, as you bravely try to grow accustomed to a new normal. Blessings to all of you.

Truly sorry for the loss of a such an endearing man...I pray the family finds peace in knowing how loved he was and just how much of an impact he had on so many lives

Our sincere condolences to the Grotenhuis family. We will keep your family in our prayers.

Coach Ernest Gonzales & wife Louisa

What a wonderful spirit will be missed! He was my 6th grade math teacher and my first male teacher. He was strict, but reminded me to have focus and discipline.  He will always be remembered!  God bless his family with comfort and peace.

To Jimbo's family, we are sending our prayers to you and wanting you to know that Jimbo had a profound impact on Bree, not only as a softball player but as a young woman. For this, I want to thank you for allowing Jimbo to share his time and wisdom with Bree and her softball family. We are forever grateful to him!!  Much love to Coach Jimbo. If there's anything we can do, please let us know.

I was a high school classmate and close friend of Jim growing up together.  Jim was one of a kind.  It was great when we were able to catch up on our visits back to Hospers and I can only echo many of the same comments I have read previously.  Jim was one of the genuine people that I have ever known and was someone who loved people and loved life.  It has been very inspirational to see the impact that Jim made in so many people's life and the success he experienced as a teacher and a coach.  My mind has been flooded with many happy memories since I heard of his passing.  I am honored to be a friend of Jim and am grateful that he was a part of my life.  My deepest sympathies and my thoughts and prayers are with the family.  My God give you comfort during this time.

A great coach and an even better man. Heaven has gained an angel.

My sincere condolences to his family. He was my Algebra 2 teacher in Mac Arthur High. He was a very fair man. He was extremely popular in the school because he was a great teacher. I have and will always fondly remember him. RIP.

Sending hugs from the bottom of my heart.  Jim was a close friend to my brother and to me throughout our school years. I was a year younger and Jim was always my favorite of all my brother's friends and the memories I have always made me smile. There was no one more genuine and no one more adored that I can remember.  I'm so sad he is gone but I know he's one of heaven's strongest and most adored angels already.

I was so sad to hear about the passing of Coach Grotenhuis. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Dianna, his daughters and his family and friends at this difficult time. I was lucky enough to know him and see him recently. He will be greatly missed!

Sister Dianna, Kimberly, Miranda and Lillian, Brother Ralph and I were so sad to here about the wonderful husband and father, God  gave you.  We were so blessed to have known him and I know we'll see him again in heaven.  Our prays and love are with you.  Phyllis & Ralph Mason

Just heard of Jim's passing.  I am in shock.  I was Jim's vocal music teacher in Junior High and High School.  He was an incredible leader.  His infectious laugh and desire to make everything fun was an inspiration to everyone.  On top of that he was a great tenor!  His passing will be such a loss to his family, friends and students. Live Large, Have Faith, Live with Passion, Live with Enthusiasm.  Live like Jim! 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Our deepest condolences to Lillian and the Grotenhuis family.  The Humble Middle Athletic department sends our thoughts and prayers to you during this trying time.

Diana, my prayers are with you, your daughters, and the rest of the family. I am so sorry for your loss.

So very sorry for your loss - we remember Coach G with fondness - he was always so encouraging when Taylor played softball for HGSL - He always had something constructive and encouraging to share.  

With our sympathy, 
The Clarks
Mitch, Dollie, Tiffany and Taylor
Humble TX

Hi Grotenhuis Family,

I taught next door to coach year before last when I was teaching world geography and he was teaching algebra.  We talked many times.  Great Coach and Man!  I am still so shocked.  My wife, Anna Jenkins and I pray for your family to make it through this very difficult time.

Coach Jim you will never be forgotten.  Kristan cherishes all the good times and the hard work you instilled in her during her early years with the Texas Stars.  One of her fondest memory was when you brought to practice a truck tire tied to a life vest for the girls to pull from base to base (keep in mind the Texas Stars was a 8u team) The girls loved the practice ...to the extent of ripping the vest.    You were an amazing coach and good friend.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. The Garcia's family.

RIP Coach Jimbo. You will truly be missed especially on the softball field. You were such a great coach and mentor on and off the field. 
Thoughts and prayers to your daughters, wife and family and may GOD bring them strentgh during this difficult time. 

~Scott, Angie and Erica Riley

Coach Jim you will never be forgotten.  Kristan cherishes dearly all the good times and the hard work you instilled in her in those early years with the Texas Stars.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  The Garcia family.

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

What a great guy.  My deepest sympathy to your family.  Enjoyed the visits when Miranda and Mari played together.  My prayers and thoughts go out to your family.  Miranda our thoughts and prayers are with you, always cherish the memories of your father.  With our sincere sympathy Margaret Sitka and Mari Cranek.

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.  My husband was the umpire who collapsed on the field and later died while umpiring Jim's playoff game in 2012.  I will always remember how kind, compassionate and supportive he was while he sat for hours at the hospital with my daughter and me.

Sooo sorry for y'alls loss!!! He was a GREAT Coach!! My daughter loved how he joked with her about the soccer games. Even though she wasn't on the sb team he always talked to her about the soccer team.  That's a true caring Coach!!!! You will be sooo missed!!! RIP

My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time.  My husband was the umpire who collapsed on the field and later died while umpiring Jim's playoff game. On May 4,2012,  I will always remember how kind and compassionate Jim was as he spent hours with us at the hospital.

Jimbo had such an impact on so many softball girls lives. He will be truly missed. Thoughts and Prayers go out to his family.

As far as memories go, Jim was my first friend. We grew up together, about a mile apart, on farms in rural Northwest Iowa. We were team-mates for many innings of ball together starting in little league, to school ball to church league softball. Jim was a difference maker with every team he was on and every sport he played. He made a difference both on and off the field. His passion was infectious. I never saw him coach a game, but I am not at all surprised by the fact he was a coach and that he was good at it.  He will be missed by so many. My heart goes out to the family in these difficult days and in the days that follow. Please know that you are not alone in this season of grief. If Jim was always able to do what he was passionate about until the end, then that's champion's performance.  Well done my friend.

"Jimbo, you will be missed by many. You were always quick to help someone out who needed help. The "softball world" took a heavy hit with your passing. The passion you displayed as a father, teacher, and coach was admired by many, thoughts and prayers to your family."
McEachern Family/Huffman ISD (Huffman, Texas)

I send my deepest sympathy to all your family. I will always remember you and your caring family when my sister, Sandy was in the hospital. May God surround you with love , now and always.
                                                                  Sincerely, Connie Brookhart

Thank you for loving our two girls like they were yours.  Thank you for inspiring them and encouraging them to always treat everyday like it was an audition.  We know that every time Sarah steps on the field, she will play in your honor and to make you proud. Your Cobra family will always be there for your family.  RIP my dear friend!  Love and miss you very much.

My heart goes out to you and the girls during this difficult time.  May God give you the strength you will need in this difficult time.  Prayers for you and the family.

Jimbo, I just can't believe you're not walking your big walk and laughing your big laugh!  You had more personality and passion than anyone I've ever met.  You will be missed.  I love you dear friend!  My prayers go out to Dianna and the girls and Jim's whole family during such a terrible and difficult time.

Since hearing of Jim's passing we have been sharing many stories of our times with Jim. All of them bring smiles and laughter. That was Jim - if you knew him, you loved him. He made every moment as fun as he could. Once he moved from Iowa to Texas we didn't see him as often as we wanted - but that didn't mean we ever stopped thinking of him as family. We've loved him from the beginning of our friendship and can't wait to see him in heaven again. We will miss you, dear friend....

You had a big impact on my family. You made my husband a better coach and made my daughter a better softball player. We were family! We will truly miss you ! Dianna, Miranda, Lillie, and Kimmy you are in my prayers. I am always here if you need me.

So sad such a wonderful coach and man is no longer with us his hearty laugh and big smile will forever be remembered. Praying for peace to his family, friends and loved one's.

Such a great person and teacher. He made a huge difference in so many peoples lives. Coach G. You will truly be missed. Prayers and lots of love to all his loved ones. His light has been extinguished here on earth but he is an even brighter light in heaven watching over everyone.

My deepest condolences to you, your girls, and the family. May God be with you all during this difficult time and may he give you the strength to get through this. My prayers and thoughts are with you and the family.

Dear Grotenhuis Family,

Jim was a high school classmate of mine.  He was liked by everyone!  His sense of humor was awesome.  That was matched only by his intelligence.  Jim and I spent many hours together on school busses....to speech contests, music contests, basketball games....you name it.  He always made it fun!

He was so proud of his girls- his wife, his daughters and his players!  I am so happy I saw him at our last reunion!  Northwest Iowa is in utter shock over your loss!  

My prayers are with you!  Mary (Ney) Middleton

RIP big guy. It's been years since we played ball together. One day we'll take the field together up in the big sky

Such a tragic loss. Westfield Mustang softball team sends their love and support to Jimbo's family and extended family at Atascocita as well as the Impact Gold Team. Prayers coming your way.

Very Sad day today for your family and your extended softball family. RIP Jimbo, you will be missed  by so many. You have touched so many lives.

So sad that we will not see Coach G everyday - always smiling and ready to laugh.   You will be missed so very much.

What a tragic loss. The Humble Girls Softball team would like to send their love and support to the Grotenhuis Family.

You was such a bright star for so many girls, and now you will continue to shine.

RIP  Coach you will be missed. Prayers to family. There are no words that will make the pain go away of  the loss of your loved one. But do know that Coach will always be by your side Your Angel. God will hold you tight through this time. With love the Guillen family

You were an awesome teacher RIP and my deepest sympathy to the family

Coach Jimbo had a unique talent to get the girls engaged in the game of softball, he will be missed both on and off the fields that he dedicated a large part of his time here to. Our condolences to the family, friends and untold number of ball players who knew him.

You will be truly missed. Your family is in my prayers. I hated math but you made learning it fun. C/O 05

R.I.P coach I know you will be watching over us from heaven just like you did on the field. The brown family sends there condolences

Coach you were truly one of a kind...rip dear man.......your old student,Jorge Villarreal

My condelences and prayers the entire family. R.I.P Coach G is not a goodbye is a see u later.

Our thoughts & prayers are with you all during this time and in the days to come.

Our condolences and prayers go out to you and your family in this time of need. Jimbo will be deeply missed!
             Xavier & Gloria Bustos 
                     and Family,

Coach g you will be gone but never forgotten we all had awesome memories of ya best coach ever my condolences to the family

My thoughts and prayers are with the Grotenhuis family. Jimbo was a great coach and an amazing guy. His presence will be missed!

Our deepest condolences to the entire family. May God give you strength as you go thru the healing process. Prayers being sent.

My deepest condolences to the Grotenhuis family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

R.I.P. Coach Jim, my condolences  to the Grotenguis family, May God grant you strength during this difficult time. Jim was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed.

OBITUARY

James Alan Grotenhuis

February 25, 1969 – July 14, 2014

Brookside Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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