James David Grimsley

James David Grimsley, of Mansfield Texas, passed on February 10th, 2022, in Wood County Texas. He passed unexpectedly but without suffering after experiencing a medical emergency. He was 71 years old.

James was a family man and spent his 71 years devoted to caring for the people he loved. He is loving, honest, loyal, and has a strength in his character that words cannot describe. James was drafted into the Army in 1971 and served while being stationed in Germany. He was proud to have served his country and of the time he spent in the Army. As a young man James spent his time working on the family farm with his grandparents Granny and Guy. He often told us that these were the years that he learned what hard work and dedication were and the moments he shared with his siblings and particularly Guy helped carve out the man that he became. James attended Poly Technic High School in Fort Worth Texas and graduated in 1968. James was a member of the Poly Parrot Marching Band and played the Alto Saxophone. He loved music and had a deep appreciation for Marching Bands. He was able to continue to enjoy watching performances at the Friday night high school football games during his son Jeremy’s years playing football and continued with his granddaughter Grace in her years as a cheerleader. James loved to skateboard and surf as a young man and spent his free time running the hills of the Stop Six area in Fort Worth on his board and his summers on the Texas Coast with friends and family surfing all day and camping out on the beach. James met his lifelong love Shelia Grimsley (Worlow) in 8th grade. They dated through their school years and were married June 14th, 1969. They went on to have two children and James devoted his life to caring and providing a happy, fun, family focused life for them. James and Shelia have been married for 52 years. James was a Main Frame Computer Operator/Manager for Northrup Grumman. He was employed there almost immediately out of the service and retired from his career at the age of 54. James loved the outdoors. He shared a deer lease for many years with his close friends in Stephenville Texas hunting white tail deer. James also loved to fish in freshwater lakes here in East Texas. He spent a lot of time at the family lake property at White Oak Shores on Lake Fork in Yantis Texas. James loved to bass fish and had many trophy fish stories. James was rarely ever seen without a camera in his hand, and he enjoyed capturing images of the people and places that he loved. James shared his loved of photography and the memories that he captured with everyone. James never knew a stranger and had charm and smart witted humor that kept everyone he encountered laughing. James is a mans-man with a gentle soul and warm heart, and you never questioned where you stood with him. If he friended, you or loved you then you were loved and protected by him forever. The world has lost a man that can never be replaced and will be forever missed.

James is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Shelia Grimsley. His Son and Daughter in Law Jeremy & Monica Grimsley of Cary North Carolina. His Daughter Monica Songer of Mansfield Texas. Grandchildren Aidan and Valerie Grimsley, Micah and Grace Songer & Jaxson, Josiah, Juliana, and Macie Songer-Trudeau and their mother Jessica Trudeau. Siblings Edwin “Gunner” Grimsley and his wife Ginnette and Daughter Robyn Grimsley and Janie Agosti and husband Joseph, along with many nieces and nephews and their families, Sister-in-law Debbie Worlow and her daughters Trisha Becky and Dayna and their families. James was proceeded in death by his parents Wanda and E.V. “Skeet” Grimsley and his brother Edward Grimsley.

• “If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.”
• “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
• “If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.”

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to JDRF at http:\\ www.jdrf.org