James Clyde “Jim” Grass, age 60, of Shelby died naturally, yet unexpectedly, on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at his home. His death follows a lengthy and valiant battle with Stage IV esophageal cancer.
Jim was born November 10, 1962 in Madison, West Virginia and moved to Shelby as a little boy. He graduated from Shelby High School in 1981 and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1983. Serving for nearly nine years, which enveloped The Gulf War (Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm), he was stationed both stateside and in the Philippines- including being assigned to the USS Sterett. Following, he worked as a field engineer at UNISYS in Connecticut, Chandler Systems in Ashland, and primarily worked at the Tuby (ArcelorMittal) in Shelby where he was still currently employed as a maintenance electrician.
More often than not, Jim was the life of the party and had a way of making eye-to-eye connections with people no matter the height of the person he communicated with- even if he himself was one of the shortest people in the room. He had a unique way of connecting with people in deep conversation, which was always genuine and real, no matter the topic- serious or humorous. Jim’s hobbies culminated in fishing, hunting, and golfing, and he also coached softball for Shelby Girls Softball League for several years. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Shelby.
Jim is survived by his wife of nearly 25 years, Susan J. (Vance) Grass, whom he wed November 14, 1998; daughters: Lauryn Grass (fiancé, Matthew Kuhlman) and Megan Grass; brother: Bruce Grass of Tampa, FL; mother-in-law: Marilyn Vance of Shelby; sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Linda and John Feussner of Shelby; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother: Loretta (McClain) Grass; and sister: Tonya Lynn Grass.
Family and friends are welcome on Monday, October 23, 2023 from 3-7 pm at the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 11 am. Pastor Jeff Croft, Pastor of First United Methodist Church, will officiate the services with burial following in Oakland Cemetery in Shelby. Memorial contributions may be made to the church, 18 South Gamble Street, Shelby, Ohio 44875.
Online condolences may be made on Jim’s obituary on the funeral home’s website, www.PenwellTurner.com, or their Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/PenwellFuneral.
Funeral Home: Penwell Turner Funeral Home
Website: www.PenwellTurner.com