James A. Grant

James A. Grant, a devoted man of faith whose life reflected a deep concern for justice, community, and service to others, died on Friday, July 31, 2026, in Ithaca, New York. He was 82.

Jim was born on September 6, 1943 in Sacramento, California to James Jacob Grant and Helen Burgess Grant. Throughout his life, he sought to live out his faith not only in words, but through acts of compassion, hospitality, and service. He believed that people were called to care for one another, to stand with those in need, and to work toward reconciliation across the boundaries that too often divide communities.

After graduating from Princeton University in 1964, Jim joined the Peace Corps and spent three years teaching mathematics in Kumawu, Ghana. His years in Ghana became a defining chapter in his life. He developed a lasting love and respect for the Ghanaian people and their culture, while events in the United States—particularly the Civil Rights Movement—deepened his awareness of racial injustice. Those experiences helped direct him toward a life of ministry, service, and concern for the dignity of every person.

After returning to the United States, Jim studied social welfare at the University of California, Berkeley. During those years, he continued to wrestle with questions of faith, justice, poverty, and peace. His spiritual journey drew from several traditions, but the heart of his belief remained the Christian call to love one’s neighbor and to put faith into action.

In 1972, Jim moved to Abbeville, Louisiana, which became his home for more than 40 years. There, he became deeply involved in the life of the community and was an active member of First Baptist Church. His church family was an important part of his life, providing a place for worship, fellowship, and service. Jim believed that the church had a responsibility to reach beyond its walls and respond to the spiritual and practical needs of the wider community.

He formed especially close relationships within Abbeville’s African American community and in the Rabbit Hill neighborhood. He worked alongside churches, families, and local organizations to address housing needs, poverty, access to medicine, education, and neighborhood renewal. Jim described much of this work as “faith-based community development,” but for him it was simply a way of living out the Gospel: seeing a need, recognizing the worth of the person before him, and doing what he could to help.

His service was often quiet and practical. Jim helped repair homes, locate resources, organize volunteers, write grants, and bring people together around shared concerns. He believed that trust was built over time and that meaningful change began with relationships. He was willing to listen, to remain present, and to work patiently across differences of race, background, and religious tradition.

After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita brought widespread destruction to southern Louisiana, Jim helped coordinate long-term recovery efforts. He worked with local residents, churches, and hundreds of volunteers to repair damaged homes and assist families as they rebuilt their lives. He understood that recovery required more than restoring buildings; it also required restoring hope and reminding people that they had not been forgotten.

Jim’s faith was joined by a lifelong love of learning. He studied ministry, computer programming, and computer science, ultimately earning a Ph.D. Yet knowledge was never an end in itself for him. He was most interested in how education and technology could be used to serve others, strengthen nonprofit organizations, and encourage understanding among people of different cultures and faiths.

Jim shared much of his life with his wife, Mamie B. Augusta Grant, affectionately known as Bea. Their marriage was grounded in faith, education, community, and service. Together they maintained a special connection with Ghana, helping establish a relationship between a church in Abbeville and the Ghanaian community where Jim had served in the Peace Corps. Bea preceded him in death in 2013.

In 2015, Jim moved to Ithaca, New York, and made his home at EcoVillage at Ithaca. There, his concern for justice and community expanded into a deeper focus on stewardship of the Earth. He believed that caring for creation was connected to caring for one another and that people were called to live responsibly, gratefully, and with concern for future generations.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Mamie “Bea” Augusta Grant; his parents; his sister, Lucy Grant Burrows; and his brother-in-law, Thomas W. Burrows.

He is survived by his brother, William B. “Bill” Grant; his nephew, Sean Burrows and Sean’s wife, Mary; his niece, Laura Burrows; his grandnieces, Gwen Burrows, Chloe VanGaasbeck, Abigail Burrows, and Cora Burrows, and his grandnephew, Percy VanGaasbeck. He is also remembered by Bea’s extended family and by the many friends and communities touched by his life.

A homegoing service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve, 293 Irish Hill Road, Newfield, NY 14867. Pastor Tony Lister will officiate. A celebration of Jim’s life and faith will follow in the TREE Common Room at EcoVillage at Ithaca, Rachel Carson Way, Ithaca, NY 14850.

A recording of Jim's homegoing service is available below on this page.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to assist with Jim’s final arrangements. Checks will be accepted by mail, made payable to Lansing Funeral Home, 32 Auburn Road, Lansing, NY 14882. Electronic contributions can be made directly to the funeral home by following the link below.