James A. Grady

James Andrew “Jim” Grady, age 74, peacefully passed away at his home surrounded by family on January 16, 2015. Jim was born on March 16, 1940 in Erie, KS; the son of Carl Wesley Sr. and Cleora (Blackburn) Grady. He grew up on the farm and attended Erie Schools and graduated in 1958. After high school Jim attended Neosho County Community College in Chanute. On July 5, 1969, Jim married Evelyn Larson at Vilas Bethel Lutheran Church and they lived on the family farm west of Chanute since their marriage. Jim and Evelyn were blessed with two children: Jill and Jason. For a few years, Jim was a co-owner of Empire Billiards with his brother, John. Jim also worked at Mid-America Refinery, Alcorn Manufacturing and retired from Monarch Cement in Humboldt as a Project Engineer in 2005 after 30 years of service. Jim served on the Vilas Bethel Cemetery Board and the Pleasant Valley Township Board. Jim was a lifetime member of the Chanute Elks and North American Limousin Foundation. He was also a member of the Kansas Limousin Breeders Association and the Kansas Livestock Association. Jim proudly raised Limousin cattle and enjoyed checking his cows daily. Jim bowled for many years and went to several out of town bowling tournaments with his friends and family, but later enjoyed watching his children play school sports. Jim was a bucket calf project leader with the High Prairie Pioneers 4-H Club and also coached his son’s youth baseball and basketball teams. He loved to watch his grandchildren participate in all of their activities, and enjoyed having coffee at McDonalds with his friends. Jim loved life and he will be greatly missed. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Carl Jr. and John, sisters: Doris Strickland and Helen Muninger. He is survived by his wife Evelyn; daughter: Jill Kreighbaum, her husband Kyle and their daughter Elle of Chanute, KS; son: Jason Grady, his wife Wendee and their children Reese, Maryn, and Sawyer of Manhattan, KS; sister: Mary King of Chanute, KS; as well as several nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. Funeral services for Jim will be Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Chanute. Burial will follow in Vilas Bethel Cemetery west of Chanute. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 20, 2015 from 6-8 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home - Gibson Chapel. The family requests memorials be made to the Zion Lutheran Church and sent in care of Countryside Funeral Home, 101 N. Highland, Chanute, KS 66720. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.

James A. Grady

March 16, 1940 - January 16, 2015