James Hodges Gradeless

James "Jim" Gradeless peacefully passed away at his home with his beloved wife Marianne by his side on August 24, 2025.
Jim was born June 15,1936 in Norfolk, Virginia. As a young boy at age 6 Jim decided on a military career. That day in 1942 he had spent in Norfolk watching a military parade of American heroes preparing to go to war. His first enlistment was in 1953 as a paratrooper in the United States Army serving with the 408th Airborne Regimental Combat Team and the 506th, 101st Airborne Division. Following this he made the decision to join the United States Navy where he served on submarines, USS Redfin, USS Quillback, and the USS Cutlass for a period of twelve years. He served in Vietnam in the River Division 511 PBR's (Patrol Boats) in combat where he was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" for Valor. He served two years as an investigator for Naval Security, Naval Station Key West. He served one year Fleet Maintenance at Submarine Base Groton, CT. He attended various schools and commands followed by retirement in 1974.
He retired to the Outer Banks of NC and started a new career in law enforcement. He started as a dispatcher in 1975 and then patrolman at the Nags Head Police Department. He took a position at the Kill Devil Hills Police Department as a Sergeant. He became Chief of Police there for a little over eleven years. He retired in 1996, after twenty-one years in law enforcement. Jim enjoyed a wonderful and long retirement.
Jim was well known by friends near and far for his captivating and entertaining and often hilarious stories and personal narratives of past military and law enforcement experiences.
He married Marianne Meagher Gradeless in 1978, a loving supportive marriage was maintained for 47 years, together for 49.
He is survived by his wife Marianne, his son James A Gradeless, a sister Jane Gradeless Phillips. Grandsons, Christoper L. Gradeless and family, David K. Gradeless and sister Victoria H. Moore and Granddaughter Kelly Gradeless and family. Niece Linda Hill (Randy), nephews Robert Thomas Phillips (Teresa), James Albert Phillips (Laura Gayle), grand nieces, Erin Holtvedt (John) and family, Courtney Hill (Mark Voller), his grand-nephew Bobby Joe Johnson (Jennifer). Many cousins, friends, and shipmates.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert M. Gradeless and Alice Cuthrell Gradeless, his son David Robert Gradeless and his grandson David's sister Mariah Violet Moore.
A graveside service and a Military Burial will be at the Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Jim wished that donations were to be made St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, donors@stjude.org.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James, please visit our floral store.