When I met Jimmy after he first began working for us with his cleaning service he told me he’s loyal and he’d make it hard for us to let him go.  He lived up to those words and then some. Not only did we find ourselves with a trustworthy , reliable  service man I found myself with someone who had my concerns in mind as much as his.

Jimmy always would ask me how my family was, contact me if he could make a suggestion or concern about our business or we’d just chat about life, sports, politics. He would often say take care of yourself brother and I’ll keep praying for you or anyone I’d bring up. He loved Denice and his family and would remind me to give
my wife a hug, cherish your time with her.

Some people that have been in
my life I have felt were presented by God.  Jimmy was one of them and I know he’s
home with the Lord and his loved ones. I’ll miss him and the friendship he offered.

I am Donna Raney Jimmy‘s cousin. I am going to miss him so much. We used to talk 3 to 4 times a day since his wife passed away.. He missed her so much. He would tell me that she was at the gate waiting for him and she was going to open the gate for him. So I know they are both together now that’s what he wanted. He would pray with me and we would just talk about the old days when we were younger when we were kids. He was supposed to come up this summer and we were gonna have a family reunion. There’s only a couple of us left. He was going to go fishing with my daughter Jessica they both go fly fishing. She was all excited to go fly fishing with him. I’m going to miss him so much. I loved him so much. He was my cousin. He talked about Chrissy and Jimmy and Drew. He loved his little grandson. He loved playing tennis. We would have talk at 3 o’clock in the morning to keep him awake to finish his work, his wife used to do that I used to talk to his wife. He was the best guy I’ve ever known besides my husband Well, he’s in the best place he can be is in heaven with his wife and his other relatives see you soon Jimmy.

If I had to sum up Jimmy in one word it would be boisterous 🤩. Lively, exuberant, and high-spirited enthusiasm! He was like a father figure to me, checking in and praying for me and many others.  He was the backbone of our tennis contract. He will be sorely missed!

I am so sorry for your loss.  Jimmy was a wonderful friend and did many thoughtful things for others. We've played tennis for 20 years at the YMCA & Grings Mill. Many times we went out for Breakfast with other men. Jimmy, you will be greatly missed. We will meet again in Heaven.

I found "Fish-fly Jimmy"--I believe that was his e-mail name--to be a unique person:  He loved tennis and he could hit the ball hard enough to knock you down if you didn't get out of the way or to fly into the curtain ten feet behind the court like a rocket.  God bless him--I think that part (flying out of bounds) might have frustrated him!
More importantly, I think that Jimmy might have been one of the most sincerely nice people I have known:  He would often call me or my wife, Becky, to wish us a happy Father's Day or Mother's Day; He would normally compliment me on my choice of wife and ask me what I had done to deserve such a beautiful woman (Ha-ha! Love you, Man!); And he would often say, "God Bless You," one of the nicest things I think you can say to a person.
Well, God Bless You Jimmy--Rest in peace!/ Chip Fossett

Susan Kwan

November 17, 2025

I received a call at the end of August this year from a Jimmy Grainger whom I did not know at that time.  He had asked if I would play tennis on Fridays at the 'Y".  I told him that I do not play under stress, but I aim to have fun and laughter on the court.  Jimmy told me that I would have fun and to please give him and his friends a try.  

I met Jimmy on September 2, 2025 at the "Y".  for the first time.  He waited for me at the front desk and said, "Susie" as I walked in.  I guess he knew what I looked like with Sam's help.  

True to his words, I loved playing with his friendly group.  We indeed had a lot of fun.  I told him that him and his group made me laugh and played without stress.  

One of the best things about Jimmy were the prayers he said on and off the court for me and my family.  Jimmy had asked that we pray for my husband, Gary, who served during 9-11, that we pray for his mom who is undergoing lung cancer, and for my sister, Betty, who has recently found out that she has a tumor on her kidney.  Jimmy's prayers were heard by God!!  

I will miss you, Jimmy!!  You were indeed a caring individual with a loving heart and soul.

I met Jimmy on the tennis court several years ago. He loved to play & was always concerned about everyone. If I didn’t see him for a while he would give me a call. He was a good tennis player but a better man. My condolences to his family. Rest in peace my friend.

Jimmy cleaned our office and was awesome!  One day, he left me a note "love that picture" - so I made a nice canvas backed copy for him.  
He also left me a note that warmed my heart "God allways loves you" - I thought it was cute how he misspelled 'always" - very sweet!  
Now he is in heaven, allways looking down on us!

I met Jimmy about a year and a half ago at the YMCA. He handed me a card—I thought it was a business card, but it simply read, “Let’s Play Tennis.” Before long, I was playing with his group, and it didn’t take much time after that for us to become good friends. Jimmy was not only a strong player but, more importantly, a genuinely good person.

When we weren’t on the court, we talked several times a week. Jimmy remembered everything you told him. If my family was taking a trip, he checked in to make sure we arrived safely. If my dog got a tick bite, he worried about how she was recovering. If anyone had a personal struggle, he was there—to listen, to encourage, or to say a prayer. Whenever I missed one of his calls, he left a positive message. I still have several of them saved.

It’s hard not to admire a guy like Jimmy. I will miss him—and of course those missiles he used to fire at me when I dared to play the net against him. It always felt safer when he was on my side of the court.

You left us too soon, Jimmy.

Your friend,
Sam

Jimmy had the biggest heart of any person I know. I played tennis with him at the Y for many years, and it will not be the same without him. My sympathies to his family.

OBITUARY

James Timothy Grainger Jr.

April 19, 1956 – November 13, 2025

Auman's Inc. Funeral Home

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