Don James Grove

Don James "Jim" Grove, C.P.E. FRANKLINTON, NC – Jim Grove passed away peacefully at his Mitchiner's Crossroads home on August 27, 2025. Jim was born on February 1, 1947, to the late Dane McVay and Donald J. Grove in Pittsburgh, PA. He grew up in Princeton, NJ building go-carts, falling in love with cars, and watching Bill Bradley play ball. After high school Jim attended Cornell University. He earned his Master's degree in Chemical Engineering and pledged to Tau Kappa Epsilon, Scorpion Chapter. During the Vietnam War Jim served his country in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps.

After working in commercial chemical plants for a few years, Jim left to serve his country again. In 1970 he relocated to North Carolina to work for what would become the Environmental Protection Agency as one of the first instructors in the nation to guide public and private entities on the new federal regulations to eliminate air pollution. Jim and fellow instructor, Walter Smith, helped scientists and industry leaders understand the impacts of clean air and water with compelling works like 'Nomograph for Field Checking Meter Calibrations on EPA' and 'Compliance Testing Quality Assurance Procedures Workshop Selected Papers on Particulate Sampling in Cycloconic flow'. Real page turners!

Soon Jim and Walter realized that someone needed to create a way to test air quality. They developed the equipment needed for testing and created Entropy, the first air quality test business in the U.S. Jim and his fellow 'Entropods', as they were known, helped clean up the smog-filled skies across the country until the mid 1980's when Jim left Entropy for farm life in Franklin County.

Never one to be idle, Jim took farming life seriously raising feeder calves and planting sweet corn for the community. From the mid 1980's until the early 2000's Jim also helped raise untold many young men, teaching them the value of hard work and generosity. He taught them how to swim, fish, ski, ride a four-wheeler and drive a tractor. But mostly he taught them to be kind, caring and supportive of each other and their community.

Jim also served his community for over 20 years as a volunteer fireman. He helped integrate Mitchiner's Crossroads Fire Department which is still one of the most diverse departments in the county.

Then came Safe Space. In 1995 Jim read an article in The Franklin Times about a domestic violence prevention program looking for volunteers. This spoke to Jim's heart. He started out as the Shelter handyman. Good old 'Jimmy Fix It' kept the rental house serving as a shelter in good operating order. When Safe Space wanted to start a thrift store to provide a steady stream of income for the program, Jim Grove not only provided the manpower to renovate the store, but he provided the financial support to ensure the property was secured while Safe Space (and Jim) went about raising the funds to make the store a reality. When it was time to move the shelter from its rented location and purchase a site, it was Jim Grove that found and negotiated the home where the shelter now stands. He put his blood, seat, tears, and treasure into the renovation and expansion of the shelter. He visited major funders. He spoke with community leaders to get funding. He didn't let up until he had secured the funds required and then he picked up his tool belt and got work. Jim's work didn't end when the door to the store and the shelter opened. He raised money, mowed grass, crawled in hot stuffy ceilings, unstopped toilets, knelt in damp basements, and even relocated litters of feral kittens. Any shelter manager knows you'd best change your air filters or you're going to get a stern speaking to on maintenance! While taking care of the facilities Jim never overlooked the personal help for clients. He did car repair, drove women to bus stations, and moved entire households. He even sat in court lending his strength to someone trying to escape the fear and pain. When staff was overcome with the weight of the job, Jim was there with the emotional support to go forward. A hug, a kind word, a bouquet of flowers, Jim was there. When the state was late with grant funds, Jim provided the bridge loan to make sure payroll was met. He served as board chair for 12 years – raising money, raising awareness, and raising spirits.

Jim was awarded the Governor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in 2001. He was named as the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year in 2008. He received the Governor's Medallion Award for Volunteer Service in 2018. But Jim's greatest reward is the many lives he has impacted

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Dane McVay and Don Grove, and his nephew, Scott Patrone. He is survived by his wife, Alitha Palich; his sister, Ellen Petrone and her husband, Tom, of Princeton, NJ; and his brother, Robert E. Grove and wife, Pamela, of Pleasanton, CA; as well as nephews and nieces, Michael, Andy, and Bryan Petrone, Elizabeth Robitaille, David Grove and Sarah Aslan. The family would also like to recognize Jim's "Kids", Monica Kearney, Leo Irons, Corey Mangrum, Courtney Gast, Rhys Brock-Loftis, Brian Richardson, and Kadeem Webb.

The family would like to thank his devoted caregivers Mary Rose Joyner and Lauren Joyner for their loving care and making sure he always had cookies. The family would also like to thank Transitions Lifecare, especially Yolanda, Lauren, and Carrolyn for giving him great comfort. Visitation will be held at 3124 W. River Rd. Franklinton, N.C. on Friday, September 5, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. and, as per Jim's wishes, an informal Celebration of Life gathering will take place at 3124 W. River Rd. Franklinton, N.C. on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. to offer us a chance for us to share stories, eat, and fellowship together. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Safe Space, Inc. P.O. Box 240 Louisburg, N.C. 27549.