09/29/2025
Jimmie Frank Graybill
Jimmie Frank Graybill, 88, passed away on September 10, 2025 at his home near Thrall, TX.
Jim was born on July 6, 1937 to Walter J. and Annie Grace (Kretsinger) Graybill in Greensburg County Maryland; he was the second of seven children. He grew up on his Grandfather Frank Kretsinger’s farm learning farming and butchering which he later loved telling his children about. He attended Smithsburg High School in Smithsburg, Md. During his high school years, he worked at Richardson’s Snack Bar in Hagerstown, Md as a “soda jerk” where they prided themselves on setting a record for making over 300 milkshakes a night. At Richardson’s is where he met the love of his life, Ardythe Lois Norris. After meeting her, Jim and his best friend, Dick, enlisted in the Army the following Monday morning leaving Lois to wonder. He enlisted in the US. Army Paratroopers January 1957 and was a member of the 326th Medical Division of the 101st Airborne. And yes, he still dated the beautiful dark-haired, blue-eyed girl he fell in love with. He graduated from Jump School at Ft. Campbell, KY and was honorably discharged on Oct. 7, 1959.
On November 24, 1957, he and Lois were wed in the St. James Brethren Church in St. James, Md. They made their home in Maryland and had 3 children, Jimmie Steven, Jeffrey Irvin and Laurie Ann. Jim farmed and then became a mason in Washington DC. In 1967, the whole family moved to Broaddus, TX to help run Jackson Hill Marina with his sister Ann & brother-in-law Barnie Henderson, Jim had always dreamed of being a cowboy and was excited to make this move. The marina was near the big piney woods and was on Lake Sam Rayburn. Jim loved fishing and was able to take his father, grandfather and father-in-law fishing during the years living here. Many years of fishing and fun were had and many friends and regulars at the lake became part of the family. Later the family moved to Trinity, TX to manage Galloway’s Marina on Lake Livingston where more wonderful people became family. In 1973, the family moved to Taylor, TX where Tonys Pizza opened their Texas division. Jim worked for Tony’s several years and then as a trim carpenter and brick layer (as well as many other construction jobs as he was a jack of all trades. One of his proudest achievements was receiving his Associate Degree in Applied Science from Temple Jr. College in 1984. He continued working in construction the rest of his life, never officially retiring, until his 80’s. Jim was also an avid gardener and kept a massive garden filled with tomatoes, squash, cantaloupe, watermelon, all kinds of peppers and his asparagus bed is still producing. His tomatoes were a fought over delight to his adult children and he made sure to always grow an abundance of them. There was also a fight for the fresh asparagus but he made sure we all got enough. He enjoyed so many things and was always reading something new and creating things. He even constructed his own teepee for the back yard. Every Christmas he made something homemade by him for each adult child’s family which included wooden spoons, a wooden spatula, paper towel holders, and folding tables. When he made the wooden spatula, he said he made it out of his irritation of not being able to get all the mayo out of the jar so he carefully measured when he was making it. He enjoyed having his grandchildren around so he could teach them things he knew and it was lovingly known as Papaw’s Common Sense Camp. He always had a sourdough starter going and his sourdough biscuits and bagels were a family favorite, especially on Christmas mornings when everyone was together for our big family breakfast. He passed his love of sourdough on to his children and grandchildren.
He will be so very missed by his family and all of those who were lucky enough to know him. Tomatoes will never be the same in our world as well sourdough biscuits. We will miss most his sense of humor and his laugh and his love for his family.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Walter J. and Grace (Kretsinger) Graybill, infant son David Nelson Graybill, sisters, Annabelle Henderson, Jean Eckstine, brother-in-laws, Harold Eckstine and Barnie O. Henderson, sister in laws Ada Graybill and Linda Graybill and infant grandson, Jessie Keith Graybill. He is survived by his beautiful bride of 67 years & 10 months, Lois Norris Graybill, his children, Jimmie (Susan), Jeff (Debra) and Laurie (Joshua), brothers Robert, Johnny, Roger (Sue) and Joe (Jeannie) all of Maryland, along with grandchildren, Kaylie (Ernie) Gardner, Michelle (Brandon) Stone, Jimmie (Jena) Graybill, Jill (Zack) Graybill, Lauren (Chris) Herrera, Joshua (Callie) Wuthrich, Kimberlee Wuthrich, great-grandchildren, Jimmie, Tormund, Preston, Austin, Travis and Ellie, along with 12 nephews, 4 nieces and a little dog named Mitsy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to Wounded Warriors and/or Tunnel 2 Towers.
“...like that star of the waning summer who beyond all stars rises bathed in the ocean stream to glitter in brilliance.” – Homer, The Iliad
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