James Joseph Grand

In Loving Memory of James Joseph Grand August 30, 1931- February 9, 2022 James Joseph Grand left this world peacefully February 9, 2022 at the age of 90. He was born the first of four children in Akron, Ohio on Aug. 30th 1931 to Elizabeth Barbara Marie Hartwick Grand and Edgar James Grand. His siblings are Gene Grand (deceased), JoAnn Jones and Judi Phares. He was a bright and sensitive man of French and Hungarian descent, known for appreciating the beauty in this world and adding to it through his art, teaching, gardening, and poetry. He grew up during the Great Depression. His formative years were colored by the values of selflessness and good will that typified America at that time, and he was an advocate of serving his country and exemplified all that it stood for. Growing up reading the events of WW II in the newspaper made him an aficionado in his later years as he voraciously read books sent to him by family members. Throughout his life he supported Presidential candidates who he felt would help grow America as a strong, but caring nation. Letters from past Presidents can still be seen on his office wall. He also became involved in government at the local level as he ran for Clerk Treasurer of Perry Township and sought local road improvements. He received a Community Leader of America Award in 1969 for outstanding service to community and state. His flag could always be seen flying proudly on the front of his home on every appropriate holiday. He was honorably discharged as a Reserve Commissioned Officer of the Army on Sept. 30, 1953. While in the Army serving as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry he found the two great loves of his life, his future wife, Betty Jean Krause and his natural ability to teach. He married Betty on June 12, 1954 and became a student at Akron University. It was soon evident to him that education was the field of study for which he had a passion for as he continued his education at Kent State University and received his Master of Education degree on August 29, 1959. Although he started his career as a teacher, he soon became a principal and an advocate for children. During his career he took interest in his pupils and their home lives and invited some students who needed a male role model into his home and heart. One of his greatest accomplishments was to open a flexible concept elementary school in Wooster, Ohio. Lura B. Kean Elementary was labeled as the school of tomorrow. He ended his career back in the classroom and taught several years past normal retirement because of his love for children. He retired from teaching at the age of 65 after 44 years of serving children. The love story between Betty and Jim began in 1954 but continues to this day. Theirs was a love story to rival all others. Meeting at the age of 21, they “talked and danced that summer away”. These words are from the poem “A LOVE STORY” which Jim wrote in October of 1993 to proclaim his love once again to the love of his life for 68 years. He often wrote poems about the important moments of his life- his childhood, the birth of his grandchildren and the climbing of an old apple tree with his brother. A few of his poems were published in poetry anthologies. Betty and Jim welcomed three girls into their hearts: Linda (who died at birth), Julie and Beth. He raised his girls to care for others and to look for the beauty in this world. He wrote a prayer for his daughters to say after he read them some poetry or just tucked them in bed. It began “Dear God, thank you for this beautiful day- the sun the wind and the stars” These words were written in his daughters hearts and were part of what led both girls to love the Lord and look daily for His blessings. Both girls grew up to be teachers due to the example their father set. After his retirement Jim built an art studio off the back of his home and created a website called Jim Grand Studios, a platform to sell his paintings and sculptures. He published a hardcover book in 2014 called The Land and the Sea through The Wooster Book Company. In this book are many of his paintings as well as five of his poems. He then had time to dote on his grandchildren and was thrilled at each of their accomplishments. He could be seen giving his younger grandchildren wheelbarrow rides around his secret garden. Later he bought a small tractor so he could pull them all at once. He continued to plant flowers and a vegetable garden until he could no longer get down on the ground. He could always be seen supervising his daughters as they cared for his beautiful yard and staked up his tomatoes for him. His yard was designated as a wildlife habitat as his nephew, Glyn, who was more of a son to him, than a nephew could attest to as he kindly relocated pesky animals who ate his prized tomatoes. Jim is survived by the family he loved deeply: His wife- Betty Jean Grand, Massillon, Oh, Sisters- JoAnn Jones and husband Russ, Leesburg, Florida and Judi Phares and husband Tom Dallas, TX, Sister-in -law- Joan Grand, Tallmadge, Oh Children- Julie Daugherty and husband David Massillon, OH; Beth Carpenter, Dallas, TX, Grandchildren – Nicolle Huffman, Seven Hills, OH, Brett Carpenter, Dallas, TX, Jenna Daugherty, Austin, TX and Christian Carpenter, Dallas TX, Nieces- Becky Panknin and husband Ray, Ormond Beach, Florida Janet Grand, Tallmadge, OH, Nephews -Glyn Grand and wife Pam, Richfield Twp. OH, Tom Jones and wife Gail, Carol Stream Illinois, Gary and wife Jeri, McKinney, TX There will be a celebration of life ceremony this coming June 6th.