Jack Emmett Grisham

The family will be celebrating Jack's life at the Chickasha Country Club at 11:00 on Monday, May 9th, 2022. We invite you to come and share memories and stories about Jack with us.

Jack Emmett Grisham was born July 4, 1939, in Chickasha, OK to Douglas and Stella Grisham. He lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at the age of 82.

Jack was born in Grady County and raised on a dairy farm near Amber, OK.

He attended Amber Schools for 12 years and was active in FFA, showing his Holstein cattle in several states. Upon graduation, he joined the Army Reserves, went to basic training at Fort Chaffee, and then remained in the Reserves for six years. He really enjoyed his time in the military, probably because it meant he didn't have to milk cows every morning and evening!  In 1960, he married Linda Bounds and they farmed and worked the dairy until 1964. He left the farm to go into business with his brother Claris. They started with two dozers and built a business doing all kinds of dirt work, laying telephone cable, and working in the oilfield. From 1994 to 1995 he helped build and was part owner of River Bend golf course. This made the grandkids very happy—they could ride a golf cart anytime they wanted.

After 44 years, he retired from operating heavy equipment and Grisham Construction Company, leaving all the work to his partner (and nephew) Gary Grisham. They had a wonderful working relationship and Jack was lucky enough to always love the work he did.

He then became an avid gardener, planting a large garden and spending time every day to keep it growing -- corn, black-eyed peas, and cantaloupe were his favorites. He also enjoyed anything mechanical. If something wasn't working, the family came to Jack – he could fix it and enjoyed doing it.

Retirement meant he could travel. He and Linda did RV trips throughout the years seeing most of the U.S.  One year they drove to Alaska and spent the summer there.  However, his favorite destination was Aransas Pass, Texas where he and Linda spent a month each year living in the RV and fishing every day. They also enjoyed foreign travel. Over the years, they made 27 trips overseas, visiting all 7 continents and 71 countries.

Another joy was spending time at Lake Texhoma, working on his cabin, fishing, and enjoying summers with his grandchildren and extended family and friends.

He leaves his wife, Linda, daughters, Janice Wright and Jim, Lisa Harding and Dave, five grandchildren, Amber and Aimee Wright, Kyle DeArmond, Riley Meyer and Austan, and Regan Wilcox. Also special in his life, Gary Grisham, with whom he worked 40 plus years, and his lifelong friend and fishing buddy, Robert Huff.

Donations to honor Jack may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) or Mobile Meals in Chickasha.