James "Jim Tom" Grubbs

James Grubbs Jr. aka "Jim Tom" of Speedwell, TN went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 2, 2016. He was born April 23, 1943 in Blanche, Kentucky. He attended Binghamtown Baptist Church and Haynes Flat Baptist Church in TN. Dad was a fighter. When he found out he had cancer, he said, "I'm gonna beat this, I'm not going to lay in this bed and die, I have too much yet to do." His doctors called him a model patient, due to his overwhelming desire to get well. Dad loved to tinker with cars, and would spend hours in his garage trying to prepare them for a car show or just to drive around town. He attended countless car shows owning several makes and models over the years. He loved going to casinos, never missing an opportunity to hit the jackpot. Vacationing with his family and friends were one of his utmost greatest joys. He loved sweets! And never met one he didn't like, "Little Debbie's" were one of his many favorites. He enjoyed woodworking and gave many of his works of art to family & friends. Dad had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. He had an incredible work ethic, and taught us that nothing in this life is free and if you want something you have to work hard for it. He was very strong-willed and smart; always tuned in to the Stockmarket Channel and FOX news. He wore his Trump hat proudly and was so looking forward to seeing Trump become the next President. His weekends were filled with lots of activities, if he and Joyce were not out with friends at Poindexter's Music, they would be at home watching the Marty Stuart & Joey & Rory shows and the infamous Hee-Haw reruns. He also loved strumming his guitar and singing along. Dad loved dogs, and he would always say, a house was not a home without a dog. His little buddy "Andy," meant the world to him, he took him everywhere. He would always say "Andy" was his baby and he treated him just like one. Bob, whom he named after his oldest brother, recalled the many things he learned from dad while growing up. He said, "Dad taught me work ethic and that we deserve nothing in life unless we work for it. He also taught me that we should never back down from anybody or anything no matter how hard the situation is and always pushed me harder than he pushed himself; he told me to never take no for an answer and to always work until all the work was finished and to never quit or give up at anything no matter how scared I was and to face those fears and push through them no matter what the outcome was." In his early years, he worked for Lake Forest College and Ball Brothers, prior to going to work for Johnson Motors (OMC). Jim married Judy Lea (nee Hacker) in 1962 in Waukegan, and they had (4) children prior to their divorce in 1999. Jim is survived by his longtime lady friend, Joyce Reed of Speedwell, TN; His daughters, Debra Lucus of Beach Park, IL; Laurie (Eric) Rabattini of Lake Forest, IL; Kelly (Robert) Donelli of Gurnee IL; His son, Robert (Jennifer) Grubbs of Bristol, WI and 12 grandchildren - Sean Lucus of Beach Park, IL; Samantha (David) Hill of Kenosha, WI; Brooke Lucus of Zion, IL; Matthew Tekampe of Lake Forest, IL; Zachary Tekampe of Dallas Texas; Danielle, Dominic, Julianna and Isabella Donelli of Gurnee, IL; Evan, Ian and Mason Grubbs of Bristol, WI; His former wife, Judy Lea Grubbs of Waukegan, IL; His sister, Virgie Carpenter of Zion, IL; Sister in law, Myrtle Grubbs of Waukegan, IL. Nephews: Charlie Carpenter of Bowling Green, KY; Michael Steven Grubbs of Waukegan, IL; Nieces, Charlene (Carpenter) Deschamp of Zion, IL ; Bobbie Jean Grubbs of Zion, IL and numerous cousins, great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, James Grubbs Sr. in 1942 and mother Lucy Jane in 1981; Brothers, Robert in 1970, Ray in 1985 and Everett in 1941. We would especially like to thank the Medical staff at the University of Kentucky, Lexington and the Serenity House in Morristown, TN for their tremendous support and dedication in caring for our Dad. They are truly special people whom God has equipped with extra special parts. Visitation has been scheduled for Saturday August 6, 2016 at Arnett & Steele Funeral Home, 106 Cherry Street, Pineville, KY 40977 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday August 7, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Arnett & Steele with interment following at Green Hill Cemetery in Middlesboro, KY. The family would appreciate donations to Friends of Hospice - Serenity House, 1052 Kennedy Circle, Morristown, TN 37814. Cemetery Details Green Hills Memorial Gardens Middlesboro, KY 40965 Visitation

AUG 6. 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (EDT)

Arnett & Steele Funeral Home

106 S Cherry St

Pineville, KY 40977

https://www.arnettsteele.com

AUG 7. 2:00 PM (EDT)

Arnett & Steele Funeral Home

106 S Cherry St

Pineville, KY 40977

https://www.arnettsteele.com