James Harper Grier

Spartanburg, SC- James Harper “Jim” Grier, 67, passed away on Sunday, July 4, 2021 at his home. Jim was born on April 8, 1954 in Spartanburg, SC and was the son of the late Lemuel Asbury Grier, Jr. and Lucy Harper Grier. He graduated from Spartanburg High School, class of 1972, and then attended The University of the South, graduating in 1976. Sewanee quickly became heaven on earth to Jim. He was a member of KA fraternity and was a member of The Order of the Gown as a student. His love continued for Sewanee as an alumnus. He served as a Sewanee Club Officer and Class Agent for the Class of 1976. Jim also served two terms on the Executive Alumni Board. After graduating Sewanee, Jim taught two years at Spartanburg High School. He then went on to get his MBA from Emory and worked at Kidder-Peabody in Atlanta until 1988. Jim moved back to Spartanburg where he worked as an independent stock broker with Raymond James & Associates until his retirement. He was an Eagle Scout and later became President of The Palmetto Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Jim served on the board of the Spartanburg Humane Society and was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church Spartanburg. Jim is survived by two sons, James Calvin Mathew Grier of Spartanburg, SC and Laurence Harper Grier and his wife, Haven, of Simpsonville, SC; two sisters, Charlotte Grier Gee and her husband, William, of Spartanburg, SC and Mary Grier Wheless and her husband, Buddy, of Raleigh, NC; one niece; and four nephews. The family would like to thank Jeff Berline and the staff at All About Care, especially Eddie Bogier, for their kind, compassionate care. Many special thanks to family friend, Emily Atchison. A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 8th, 4:00PM at First Presbyterian Church Spartanburg, officiated by The Reverend Robert Bannon and Reverend Joanne Hull. In remembrance of Jim, memorials may be made to The Spartanburg County Foundation, 424 E. Kennedy Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; the Spartanburg Humane Society, 150 Dexter Road, Spartanburg, SC 29303; or to The University of the South, 735 University Avenue Sewanee, TN 37383.