James Grof

 Born on May 1, 1952 in Lansing, MI

 Entered eternal life on October 28, 2024 at his home in Dandridge, TN

Jim’s wife, Karen, was privileged to be with him almost constantly for the past four years because his body was broken and he was often sick.  He simply could not be alone for more than a few minutes.  He needed help with everything because he was paralyzed below his shoulders from a spinal cord injury in a traffic accident on May 21, 2020. 

Jim’s good humor, patience, encouragement, and amazing smile made it possible for his family to cope with the heartbreak of his accident.  His lifelong attitude of contentment served him well.  He was loved by everyone who could see past his condition.  In typical Jim fashion, he focused on others and encouraged them.  He prayed for his children and family.  He often asked for prayer for other people to know Jesus as their savior. 

Jim’s intelligence, imagination and creativity had never been showy or self-serving.  Throughout his adult life Jim had helped family, friends, neighbors, and strangers alike in practical, often mundane ways.  As a quadriplegic, his quiet, servant nature may have been frustrated and perhaps, he felt like a burden at times.  He did not complain. 

Jim was a constant help to Karen as they refashioned their lives together and started over.  Their dream of an active retirement had changed in an instant.  He wanted a bigger sailboat to enjoy on Douglas Lake but instead had to sell his bass boat.  They planned to do volunteer work and construction projects.  They wanted to travel and spend time with family.  Instead, they focused on a new accessible home construction and found resources to live independently.  They loved the beauty of east Tennessee and renovated their cabin on Douglas Lake to make it more accessible for rental guests.  They made friends at church and in their new neighborhood.  They reconnected with friends in other states who had been so helpful to them. 

With little physical function after the accident, Jim employed his mind to live a full life.  For years Jim and Karen had enjoyed many novels, each reading the same ones.  When Jim was first home in 2021, his pain was intense and Karen began reading aloud to him as a distraction.  She read novels by Joel C. Rosenberg, Frank Peretti and Timothy Lahaye.  They enjoyed Audible series books and got lost in lives of interesting people like Joe Pickett and Cork O’Connor.  Life was good.

Jim and Karen met in September 1967 on her first day of high school in Grand Blanc, MI where he was a grade ahead of her and she took one sophomore class as a freshman.  They married in February 1972 and moved to Florida in 1977 where they raised their two children.  Jim was very involved in everything they did including Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and sports activities.

Jim worked in sales and retired on December 31, 2019, moving to Tennessee from Florida in early January, 2020. 

Jim is also survived by his wife, Karen; daughter, Katie Heffelfinger, son-in-law, Jamie Heffelfinger and their daughter, Evelyn; son, Randy Grof, daughter-in-law, Christine Rusciano and their daughter, Ruby; brother, Charles Grof of St. Petersburg, FL; sisters Nancy Wellman of Venice, FL and Mary Pusztai of Parrish, FL; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

Few people are honored to know how much they love each other.  Tragedy focused our attention on Jim.  He was an incredible person and he still is.

We thank God that Jim Grof still lives and we will be together forever.

Jim wants you to know the truth, believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ, ask for forgiveness and enjoy eternal life.

Please consider making a donation to The Salvation Army for people who suffered loss during Hurricanes Helene and Milton in NC, TN or FL.

Family and friends may sign the online register book and post condolences at  www.resthavenmemorialgardens.com

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