James W. "Jim" Gruneisen

JAMES "JIM" WILDRID GRUNEISEN, SR.
Jim Gruneisen, born June 15, 1932, was the sixth child of Albert and Geneva Keely Gruneisen. He claims a charmed childhood in St. Matthews, part of a large household of interesting, caring people. He attended Holy Trinity grade school, St. X high school and Xavier University ('54).
At XU he lucked into meeting Cincinnatian Edith Laux. While engaged to Edith, Jim served as a 1st Lt Artillery Officer in the US Army in Germany. Lovingly married for 69 years, they raised six children, lived in three cities to follow Jim's work, traveled extensively for pleasure, untangled the genealogy of their families, supported the other's unique pursuits and remained the home base for their clan's gatherings and celebrations.
Jim was a proud career-long employee of the General Electric Company retiring as General Manager of National Contract Sales & Distribution. He loved gardening, puns, singing (off key), story-telling, the rituals of the Roman Catholic Church, the St. Louis Cardinals, XU Musketeers, UL Women's Basketball, but most of all – his family. His volunteer service benefited organizations supporting Louisvillians with Down Syndrome; the XU Alumni Association; the GE Elfun Society; and every parish to which he belonged.
Jim died on September 30, 2025 at 93 years. He is survived by Edith and their children Jim (Janet) of Grove City, OH, Karen (Guy Campisano) of San Francisco, Clare of Louisville, Dan (Helen) of Tucson, AZ, Steven (Lynn) of Louisville and Donald of San Francisco; by their grandchildren Jeremy (Laura) of Sylvania, OH, John (Stephanie) of Grove City, Keely Dorsey (JR Heard) of Portland, OR, Christine Dorsey of Alexandria, VA, Aryn of Pittsburgh, PA, Seton (Miriam) of Tucson, Hannah of Louisville, Ethan of Manchester, CT, and Kayla of Louisville; and their great-grandchildren Georgia, James, Avery, Oliver and June. Jim also is survived by his sister-in-law Jean Feiertag Gruneisen and a cadre of nieces and nephews – connections with whom he treasured.
Departing before were granddaughter Abigail Geneva Gruneisen and his siblings and their spouses: Joan (Dr. William) McCubbin, Albert H. "Bud" (Rosemarie), Donald (Nancy), Caryl (Clara Gene), Mary (John) Hobb and Thomas.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 501 Cherrywood Road. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. at Ratterman Funeral Home, 3711 Lexington Road, St. Matthews. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the nonprofit studio supporting the artistry of Donald: Creativity Explored, 3245 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, www.creativityexplored.org.