James Griggs

James (Jim) R Griggs

passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2017. Born in Waverly, Union County, Kentucky to Marshall Roland and Mable Edd (Austin) Griggs on February 13, 1933, Jim lived a life centered on faith, family, friends and service to others. He enjoyed fifty-nine years together with his wonderful wife, Mary Ann raising five sons, seven loving grandchildren and one great grandson and soon to be born great granddaughter.

Jim served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955. He loved his country and the men and women who protect and serve it.

Jim was an active member of St. Monica Catholic Church for the past fifty-six years serving faithfully on multiple boards and committees, often in a leadership role. He devoted Tuesday mornings over the last twenty-seven years to the Perpetual Adoration at St. Michael the Archangel and loved all of those that were a part of his small faith sharing group at St. Monica. Jim was instrumental in building the new sanctuary providing the labor and expertise for the building mechanical systems. He enjoyed over sixty years in HVAC installation, sales and engineering. Jim was an entrepreneur, owning his own business over the last twenty-five years of his career. He was recognized in 1979 with the Distinguished Salesman Award, “The Oscar of the Selling Profession”, by the Sales and Marketing Executives of Indianapolis.

Jim was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, achieving the level of Fourth Degree Knight. He enjoyed the camaraderie and virtue of promoting the ideals of Catholicism and Patriotism side by side.

Jim enjoyed any day on the golf course, or on the lake fishing, playing poker with his buddies, any event with his dinner group and Saturdays watching Notre Dame football. He coached multiple CYO basketball and football teams, coached and was President of Ransburg Little League and was the biggest fan of his grandchildren during their sports careers. He was an avid fan and sponsor of the Cathedral Royal Irish Rugby Club. Late in life, Jim participated for nine years as a volunteer for St. Monica’s SPRED program. The program and its members always held a special place in his heart. He also achieved his “12 Gallon” pin from the Indiana Blood Center for his constant donations of blood to assist in the lives of others.

Jim is survived by his wife Mary Ann, sons Rick (Mary), Joel (Diane), Matt (Linda), Andy (Amanda), Aaron (Jill), grandchildren Kyle (Abby), Hannah, Nick (Peyton), Josh, Emily, Christian and Chloe, great grandson Emmett and soon to be born, great granddaughter, Logan, sisters Joan Morehead (Clyde) and Lynda Peters (Sonny) and brother Dan (Patti), and his beloved friends in his small faith sharing and dinner groups. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marshall and Mable, brothers Austin, Jack and Bob and sister Eleanor Fake.

Visitation will be held at St. Monica Catholic Church, 6131 N Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46228 on Thursday, September 28, 2017 from 3:00 to 8:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Monica on Friday, September 29, 2017 at 12:00 noon with calling prior to the service starting at 11:00 AM. Arrangements will be handled by Flanner and Buchanan- Washington Park North. In lieu of flowers please consider donating blood in Jim’s name to continue his legacy or contributing to the Wounded Warrior Project or the St. Monica Catholic Church Building Fund. Please share an online condolence or memory at www.flannerbuchanan.com.