James W. Grainger

James Woodrow Grainger, 80, passed away on Wednesday afternoon, April 11, 2007. Born on December 8, 1926; he was the son of the late Dewey and Stella Grainger and husband to the late Bernice Grainger.
Mr. Grainger established J.W. Grainger Grading Company in the early 1960's and was one of the first residential grading companies in Raleigh. With his "sun-up to sun- down" work ethic, he developed and cleared numerous subdivisions and helped grow Raleigh as we know it today, even expanding into commercial grading.
While owning and operating his business, Mr. Grainger was also employed with Greyhound Bus Lines. He enjoyed the many routes to Florida, Virginia and South Carolina, and driving high school classes on their fieldtrips up to New York and Washington, DC. After 35 years of employment and receiving numerous safety and courteous driver awards, Mr. Grainger retired from Greyhound yet continued working full-time with his company. His work ethic was inspirational to many, including his three sons who themselves became owners of grading companies. Mr. Grainger truly was a man to be admired.
A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his sons, James Larry Grainger and wife, Renee, Jerry Keith Grainger and wife, Joyce, Jeff Woodrow Grainger and wife, Mary, all of Raleigh; by his eight grandchildren, Larry Grainger, Jr., Tiffany Grainger Harris, Jason and Jeremy Grainger, Morgan and Natalie Grainger, Mary Candace and Ashleigh Grainger; and by other family and friends.
Family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:00-800 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home (7209 Glenwood Avenue).
Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Wakeminster Baptist Church with interment to follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.
Arrangements with Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park.