In Memory of James E. Grant (1935-2024)

Jim was born on June 20, 1935, in Asheville, NC. He was the third of four children and raised Southern Baptist in a large church with an active, multi-age religious education program. He sang in church choirs from the time he was a young child and participated in the church’s active drama group.

Jim received his Associate’s Degree from Mars Hill College and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Richmond, VA in 1957 following which he earned his Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1960. Later in 1962, he graduated with his Master of Arts in History also from the University of Richmond. While in college, seminary, and graduate school he held part-time positions doing religious education in small churches. He served as a Southern Baptist minister for ten years and eventually realized that his theology was too liberal for that denomination, including his commitment to racial equality, so he became an American Baptist minister. While serving with the American Baptist of Massachusetts, Jim became increasingly aware of and worked ecumenically with UU pastors. When not on duty with the American Baptists, he worshipped with UU congregations, including Kings Chapel and First Parish, Weston. He began reading UUA materials and began to have a deep sense of coming home. He was impressed by the UUA’s inclusive language and inclusion of multiculturalism. He realized that his interest and professional abilities were more clearly Unitarian Universalist; for him, Unitarian Universalism was a logical progression in his journey. In the summer of 1996, he retired after thirty-plus years of professional ministry with the American Baptist Churches, USA.

Rev. Grant began serving as an Interim Consulting Minister with the UU Inland North County Fellowship, San Diego, CA (1996-1998) and completed a successful two-year ministry stabilizing the congregation to call its next settled minister. For the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, CA (1999-2001), he helped the congregation’s healing and health and their move into a healthy future. The congregation grew considerably during his time and attendance at services increased markedly. The staff members felt a part of a positive, cooperative team and served as a model of the congregation. Thereafter, Rev. Grant was a consulting minister for the UU Fellowship of Laguna Beach, CA (2001-2003). He retired from his active UU ministry in 2003.

After retirement Rev. Grant served his interim ministry at Coronado UU Church, CA (2003-2004); Pacific Unitarian Church, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (2004-2005); the First UU Church of San Diego, CA (2006); and the UU Fellowship of San Dieguito, Solana Beach, CA (2007). In 2009, he was a consulting minister for the UU Congregation of Las Vegas, NV (2009); and an interim minister for the UU Congregation of Santa Fe NM from 2009 to 2010. Rev. Grant was the catalyst for good in each of the congregations he served and had a clear vision of his purpose as an interim minister. He handled pastoral duties with elan and excellence.

Rev. Grant provided his services to the denomination as a consultant of the PSWD. He was active in the UUMA. His ministry encouraged and facilitated the ministries of the congregants not only within the congregation but also to the community and the interdependent web of all existence.  He served various community and civic organizations ranging from the United Nations Association (Officer/Board Member), and boards of several non-profit organizations. He was a member of the board and finance committee of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, and president of the Massachusetts Commission, United Ministries in Higher Education.

He enjoyed singing all his life and was a member of various church choirs and choral groups. In his leisure time, he loved cooking, birdwatching, reading, and art.

Jim is survived by his spouse of 66 years, Betty Wyatt Grant; his children: Martha Grant Fuller and James Edward Grant, Jr.; grandchildren: Elizabeth Fuller and Mikhael Fuller; three great-grandchildren; siblings: Athol Grant and Mary Carolyn Kominowski; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The celebration of life was held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego in person and virtually. The link to the video of the service is Celebration of Life for Rev. James E. Grant – YouTube

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego.

Condolences may be sent electronically to mfullerpnp@yahoo.com or by mail care of Martha Fuller, 4842 Hart Dr., San Diego, CA 92116.