James H Grace

Following a brief illness, James (Jim) Herbert Grace, 81, passed away on November 11th, 2017 in Centralia, Washington. Jim was born on June 30th, 1936, to Herbert and Dorothy Grace in Seattle, Wa. Jim attended Olympia High School and after graduation enlisted in the US Navy, serving until 1963.

He met Susan Myers of Fallon, Nevada when he was on a deployment with the US Navy. They married in 1961, made their home in Washington, and had three children, divorcing in 1965. In 1973 Jim married Rita Brachebush, and together they cleared their land and built a log house from the trees on the property, living in Rochester until their divorce in 1989. Jim met Joyce Parsons (Squeak) and they shared the remainder of his life together as longtime friends and partners. They enjoyed daily time together, drives, fishing if he could not find any other fishing "buddy or friend" to join him, bluegrass pickin n jams, car races and daily card games.

Jim began his career as an operating engineer in 1966 and retired in 1991. Jim was active in his church and was an accomplished musician and also made his own guitars. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life. In his younger years, he was a talented motorcycle racer and passed along his love of racing to his sons.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Lonnie and Vernon.

Jim is survived by sons, Lonnie (Tammy) Grace, Jim (Wendy) Grace, and Robert Grace all of Fallon, Nevada; grandchildren, Joshua Grace, James Grace, and Jeremiah Grace, all of Nevada; sisters, Shirley of Alaska and Pat of Washington, Joyce Parsons Life Friend of Centralia, Washington.

Jim's arrangements are under the direction of Mills and Mills Funeral Home in Tumwater. Jim's family is hosting a gathering for friends at the Faith Baptist Church on Coal Creek Road in Chehalis on Saturday, November 18th, 2017.