In Memory Of
James Richard Grayson
1931
2016
James Richard Grayson
July 16, 1931 — February 3, 2016
James Richard Grayson “Bedstefar”, 84, of New Washington, IN passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at his home.
He was born on July 16, 1931 in Jeffersonville, IN to Christian and Lucinda Brummett Grayson. Jim was a Navy veteran of the Korean War. He was a second generation Funeral Director in Indiana and Kentucky for over sixty years. He was co-owner of Grayson Funeral Homes, Charlestown Monument Company, Superior Vault Company, and Superior Crematory. He was a member of The New Washington Christian Church, New Washington Masonic Lodge Chapter 167, Blazing Bright Eastern Star Chapter 596, and the Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis, the Indiana Funeral Director’s Association, the National Funeral Director’s Association, and the Funeral Director’s Association of Kentucky. He was a founding member of the Charlestown Excellence in Education Foundation and was President of the Crown Hill Cemetery Association in New Washington. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ed Grayson.
Jim enjoyed traveling, especially taking cruises and enjoyed woodworking. He loved to bake cookies and was known for his famous homemade ice cream. Jim and Elsa would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on March 3 of this year.
He is survived by his wife, Elsa Thomsen Grayson; sons, Chris and his wife, Karen; Jeff and his wife, Vickie; Paul and his wife, Jo Lynn, all of Charlestown, IN; brother, Buddy Grayson and his wife, Margaret of Charlestown; his grandchildren, Michael (Nicole) Grayson of Charlestown, Michelle (Clint) Cecil of Louisville, KY; Gabriel (Kasey) Grayson of Charlestown; Nicholas (Tiffany) Grayson of Charlestown; Stephen (Katie) Grayson of Monticello, IN; Kaleigh and Kendra Grayson, of Charlestown; his great-grandchildren, Kaden Grayson, Tyler Ralston, Christian Grayson, Leah Bonnell, Shayla Grayson, Reagann Grayson, Aidan Grayson, Grayson Cecil, and Ella Marie Grayson.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 12, 2016 at Grayson Funeral Home in New Washington with burial in Crown Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and after 9 a.m. on Friday.
Masonic services will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Military services will be performed by American Legion Post 335 and VFW Post 1427.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to: The New Washington Beautification Committee, PO Box 75 New Washington, IN 47162, The New Washington High School Alumni Scholarship Fund, PO Box 13 New Washington, IN 47162, or the Charlestown Excellence in Education Foundation (C.E.E.F.) PO Box 507, Charlestown, IN 47111. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
He was born on July 16, 1931 in Jeffersonville, IN to Christian and Lucinda Brummett Grayson. Jim was a Navy veteran of the Korean War. He was a second generation Funeral Director in Indiana and Kentucky for over sixty years. He was co-owner of Grayson Funeral Homes, Charlestown Monument Company, Superior Vault Company, and Superior Crematory. He was a member of The New Washington Christian Church, New Washington Masonic Lodge Chapter 167, Blazing Bright Eastern Star Chapter 596, and the Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis, the Indiana Funeral Director’s Association, the National Funeral Director’s Association, and the Funeral Director’s Association of Kentucky. He was a founding member of the Charlestown Excellence in Education Foundation and was President of the Crown Hill Cemetery Association in New Washington. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ed Grayson.
Jim enjoyed traveling, especially taking cruises and enjoyed woodworking. He loved to bake cookies and was known for his famous homemade ice cream. Jim and Elsa would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on March 3 of this year.
He is survived by his wife, Elsa Thomsen Grayson; sons, Chris and his wife, Karen; Jeff and his wife, Vickie; Paul and his wife, Jo Lynn, all of Charlestown, IN; brother, Buddy Grayson and his wife, Margaret of Charlestown; his grandchildren, Michael (Nicole) Grayson of Charlestown, Michelle (Clint) Cecil of Louisville, KY; Gabriel (Kasey) Grayson of Charlestown; Nicholas (Tiffany) Grayson of Charlestown; Stephen (Katie) Grayson of Monticello, IN; Kaleigh and Kendra Grayson, of Charlestown; his great-grandchildren, Kaden Grayson, Tyler Ralston, Christian Grayson, Leah Bonnell, Shayla Grayson, Reagann Grayson, Aidan Grayson, Grayson Cecil, and Ella Marie Grayson.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 12, 2016 at Grayson Funeral Home in New Washington with burial in Crown Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and after 9 a.m. on Friday.
Masonic services will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Military services will be performed by American Legion Post 335 and VFW Post 1427.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to: The New Washington Beautification Committee, PO Box 75 New Washington, IN 47162, The New Washington High School Alumni Scholarship Fund, PO Box 13 New Washington, IN 47162, or the Charlestown Excellence in Education Foundation (C.E.E.F.) PO Box 507, Charlestown, IN 47111. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
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