Jim Grinstead

Jim Grinstead, 71, died on March 7, 2026, at home. He was born October 7, 1954, in Mexico, Missouri, to William Patrick “Pat” and Eloise “Billie” Devan Grinstead, who preceded him in death.

He was an accomplished photographer and journalist throughout his life, both broadcast and in print. In high school his photography and articles were published in the Mexico Ledger and in college in the Kansas City Star. He graduated in 1972 from (then) Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, Missouri, receiving the Sigma Delta Chi Outstanding Graduate in Journalism Award.

In 1984 he purchased the Pleasant Hill Times, a 100-year-old weekly newspaper in a bedroom community outside of Kansas City. On October 19, 1985, he married his soulmate, Linda L. Mansur, who survives. In 1986, he was elected to the national board of directors of the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi.

Following the sale of the newspaper in 1989, Jim and Linda moved to Milwaukee where Jim worked on the business desk of the Milwaukee Sentinel. In 1996, he purchased the trade newsletter Revenues from Sports Venues, expanding to create a second newsletter, Convention and Conference Facilities.

Jim retired in 2017 and turned back to the microphone, launching the podcast Scams and Cons, which just finished its final season in 2025 with the series reaching more than 1 million downloads.

He will always be known as generous, funny, loving, kind, and there for any friend in need. He could talk to anyone about most any subject and loved learning something new. He was a Kansas City Barbecue Society Certified Master Judge, a member of the International Chili Society, a World Food Championship Certified Judge, and could officiate at weddings with his Doctorate of Sacred Bacon Theology in the United Church of Bacon.

He is also preceded in death by a brother, Larry Grinstead. Survivors include his wife, sister-in-law Mary Jane (Bunten) Grinstead, niece Laura (Mark) Reynolds, and nephew Mike (Stephanie) Grinstead and their sons, Jake and Alex.

No services are planned. Memorial contributions can be made to Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee or the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Arrangements by Bond Memorial Chapel, 1098 Weston Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN. (615) 773-2663, www.bondmemorial.com