James Victor (Jim) Grainger passed away November 19, 2016 after a long illness. He was born June 29, 1942 in Chattanooga, TN to J. C. Grainger and Juanita Bowman Grainger. He attended McCallie School and City High School in Chattanooga and graduated from MTSU with a degree in industrial management. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1969 which included a period with the 3rd Army soldier show and a tour in Berlin, Germany. He formed and ran a successful business, Custom Fretted Instruments and Repair in Sparta, TN for thirty years. With the help of two long time employees, Steve Moore and Joyce Carroll, the business became known throughout the United States and elsewhere for the highest quality repair and pearl inlay work to musical instruments such as guitars, banjos, mandolins, etc. Jim had varied interests from playing and building banjos and other musical instruments to growing an organic garden to beekeeping and loved to share his knowledge with anyone who was interested in what he was doing. He played banjo with the group Hickory Wind for many years as they entertained at Fall Creek Falls in the summers. He will be remembered as someone who tried to treat everyone as he would like to have been treated. Jim always credited the internet with the growth of his business and many of his customers became his friends and have stayed in touch over the years. He loved life and tried to live each day to the fullest. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by many people.

He is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Rebecca, his son Doug (Abby) Grainger, two grandchildren, James and Sam, his brother Dr. Chris Grainger (Patti) of Ocala, FL, his mother Juanita Grainger of Signal Mountain, TN and a niece and nephew and several cousins.

Funeral services will be conducted 11:00am Tuesday, November 22, 2016 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Highland Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 4-7:00pm at Hunter Funeral Home. Derrick Coble will officiate.

Stuart Carroll, Jeff Evans, Rick Braxton, Steve Moore, Steve Flatt and Mel Hughes will serve as pallbearers.

The family wishes to thank Suncrest Home Health and Gentiva Hospice, and extends a special thank you to nurse Carrie Glenn of CRMC for their help and kindness. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to West Sparta Church of Christ, 100 Hampton Dr., Sparta, White County Public Library, N. Church, Sparta, or Friends of White County Animals.