James Knox Gribble, 98, passed away on April 11, 2021. 

He attended East High School in Nashville, TN, where he played trombone in the marching band.  James also attended college briefly at Vanderbilt University.  James began his working career as a manager of the Walgreen’s soda fountain, and then he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943.  He began his military career serving the Signal Corps in Alaska.  He was then transferred to gunnery school in Pensacola, FL, where he became a B-24 Bottom Ball Turret Gunner.  James was a part of the 15th Army Air Corps, 47th Bomb Wing, 98th Heavy Bomb Group, 345th Squadron, and served the U.S. Army Air Corps flying 31 missions across Europe and N. Africa.  After coming home from the service, he became a sales manager for General Electric in Chattanooga.  In 1972, James started his own business, GW Supply Company, where he was the owner/vice president, retiring in 1998.  He was extremely proud of his business and his employees.  James was also a member of several clubs: Chattanooga Rife Club, Chattanooga Boat Club, Coast Guard Auxillary, MVPA (Military Vehicle Preservation Association), Tri-State Military Vehicle Club,  and the Alhambra Shriners (where he marched in the Alhambra Drum and Bugle Corps).

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Margaret; parents, Hunter and Annie Gribble; brother, Richard “Dick” Gribble; sister, Virginia Coe, and nieces, Charlene Gola and Debbie Coe.

James is survived by his daughter, Sandra Gribble; special extended family member, Jackie Bowen; cousin, Brooks Bush; several nieces and nephews in Nashville, TN, San Antonio, TX, and Sarasota Springs, UT; and last but not least, Forrest the cat.

The family would like to give special thanks to Caris Healthcare, especially Lindsey, Stephanie and Christy; special caregivers, Jeanette (John) McClendon, and Ms. Kat (Bill); neighbors, Richard (Nelda) Twitchell; friends, Tom Varner and his wife, Jim (Carol) Culberson, Berlin Seaborn and family, as well as multiple other family and friends too numerous to mention but gratefully appreciated.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 21, from 11 a.m.–1:15 p.m. at Turner Funeral Home, Highway 58.  A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel.

James will be laid to rest in Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in James’ name to the Humane Society (www.heschatt.org), A Paw and a Prayer Dog Rescue (www.apawandaprayer.com), or Caris Healthcare, 5959 Shallowford Road # 551 in Chattanooga.         

Share your memories and express your condolences atwww.turnerfamilyfuneralhome.com