James J. Grissom
James (Jim) Joseph Grissom was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on November 28, 1936, to Robert and Gretchen (Schrepf) Grissom. Following the death of his father when Jim was 7, his mother found work as a cook in the oil fields and at the CM Dude Ranch in Wyoming. He loved to tell stories of the summer he got to spend at the ranch where he fell in love with the desert. During the following years his older sister Barbara and her in-laws, the Leonard family provided a home for him. It was on the Leonard farm that he gained his love for hard physical work.
In his teens he came to realize that God deeply loved him and had provided a way to know Him through His Son. Jim went to Northwest Christian College where he met Carolyn Baysinger. They were married in Gooding, Idaho on September 9, 1956. By age 21, he had graduated from college, was a father, and a pastor. He served in a church in the small Idaho town of Craigmont and later in Star, Idaho.
In his later twenties, while working full-time at JR Simplot Co loading boxcars, Jim went back to school at Northwest Nazarene College for a second bachelor’s degree, this time, in Sociology. Upon graduation, he accepted a position as a counselor at Job Corps in Marsing, Idaho. During this time, he also completed a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in counseling at Boise State University. After 13 years at Job Corps, he became a vocational counselor.
Jim believed in and lived out his faith in Jesus Christ. He was a steadfast husband to Carolyn, his wife of 67 years. Jim and Carolyn had a heart to help people, setting an inspiring example to their children by giving generously to those in need, including opening their home to young people who needed a place to live. Jim always encouraged us to try new things, experience new places and make the most of every moment. He taught us to love the natural world around us and demonstrated how to love and care for the people around us.
Jim enjoyed working with his hands creating things with wood and stone that he found in the desert. He enjoyed creating, but renewal was his passion. Where others placed little value, he saw what could be, and made it beautiful with much work and love. Not only did he draw out beauty and restoration in his creations but also in the people he gave himself to.
Jim is survived by his daughter Debbie (Dave) Wynkoop; his daughter, Connie Molsee; his son Mark (Suedee) Grissom; his son Jeff (LeeAnn) Grissom; his son Tim (Liz) Grissom, as well as 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Bill Winiger. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Grissom; son-in-law, Mark Molsee; his parents, Robert and Gretchen Grissom, and his brother, Robert Grissom.
Our family wishes to thank the amazing caregivers at Edgewood Plantation Place and Edgewood Spring Creek Meridian for their gracious care of Mom and Dad.
Jim’s life will be celebrated at a service held at True Hope Church-First Baptist, located at 607 N 13th St, Boise, ID, on June 29, 2024, at 1:00 PM. Family and friends are invited to come honor Jim’s memory and share stories of his life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Campus Crusade for Christ, https://www.cru.org/ or World Vision, https://www.worldvision.org/
Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.