James Edward Grogan

James Edward Grogan Sr., 91, of Fort Mill, SC, passed away on July 9, 2024.

Jim was born in Bristol, TN, the eldest of three brothers, in 1932. His mother died in childbirth at age 19, and he was raised by her parents, Alice and Ed Johnson, a Church of God minister. Before finally settling in Mauldin, SC, for high school, the family moved nine times, staying for one or two years in eight different VA and TN locales. The fighting that began with being the newest (and smallest) kid in town became the defining spirit of his life; he was more than proud of his Irish roots. Athletically gifted, he excelled in baseball, tennis, and basketball. On the links, he tended to hook it.

While still serving in the Navy (which included playing on its baseball team throughout New England) during the Korean War, he married Dorothy Patterson of Obion, TN, in 1954. The next year, after an honorable discharge, he enrolled at Furman, later becoming the first of his family to graduate from college. A job as assistant athletic coach with Union Bleachery in Greenville, SC, while still a student, turned into a full-time position post-graduation. He accepted this offer over becoming a high school PE teacher because it paid $50 a month more, a substantial sum for a young couple with a growing family in 1959.

After a human resources position opened up, Jim’s career was set in motion. Following a successful fight against union organizing in Greenville, he was transferred to Greensboro, NC, the Cone Mills headquarters as Director of Labor Relations. Three years later, in 1970, he took a job with Western Carolina Industries. In 1978, he joined Duke Power where he spent the last 20 years of his career. In 1990, he became Vice President of Construction and Management before retiring in 1997.

Jim was civically active for many years in the Kiwanis Club and Boy Scouts, but his most enduring commitment was to his religious affiliations as a Methodist (his wife’s denomination), then Episcopalian, and finally Catholic, joining first St. Therese in Mooresville, NC, and then St. Philip Neri in Fort Mill, SC. His love of getting out of the house and of driving culminated in fifteen post-retirement years of Class A motorhome trips and rallies with Dot and friends.

He was predeceased by daughter Dana, beloved wife of 58 years, Dot, and brothers Charles (Buddy) and Chess (Junior). He is survived by children Cianne Roberts (Hugh) of Leverett, MA, Jimmy Grogan of Leverett, MA, Michael Grogan of Greenfield, MA, Kelly Gronowski (Kirk) of Fort Mill, SC, and Chris Grogan (Christie) of Fort Mill, SC; grandchildren Caitlin, Sam, and Patrick Roberts, Tess Grogan, Blake and Chase Gronowski, Reid and Cade Grogan; and great-grandchildren Jackson, Alys, Leland, Lucian, and Margot.

A private interment of Jim's ashes next to Dot and Dana will be held with family at a future date.

The family would like to thank Via Health (hospice), especially Monesha, his nurse, for the care and compassion provided to Jim during the final months of his life.