Harold Owen Grissom, Sr. Services for Harold Owen Grissom, Sr. will be held Thursday, March 5, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church with the Reverend Jimmy Harrison, Reverend Tommy Gilbert and Reverend John Branning officiating. Burial will take place at Magnolia Cemetery with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 4, 2015, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. prior to the service. Mr. Harold O. Grissom, of Meridian, Mississippi entered the church triumphant on March 1, 2015, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family. Harold was born November 6, 1924, in Fulton, Mississippi to Henry Owen and Evie Schumpert Grissom. He graduated from Fulton High School in 1942, enlisting in the United States Navy and serving in the South Pacific during World War II. He served two enlistments and remained active in the Naval Reserves. While in the Navy, he successfully complete Radio Technician School in Memphis, Tennessee. Upon completion of his second enlistment, Harold came to Macon, Mississippi in 1950 to manage radio station, WMBC. There he met and married the love of his life, Nell Lindley. Few are privileged to share sixty-five years of love and devotion with one special person, and the example set by Harold and Nell is inspirational. They moved to Meridian in 1952 where he was employed at WCOC Radio. Soon thereafter a new television station opened and he joined WTOK TV as an account executive. For the next forty years, Harold enjoyed many successes while working at WTOK and he loved working in an exciting and developing field where something new happened every day. Harold was a loving, caring, supportive husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved to fish and be outdoors with his children and grandchildren. He also loved good music, especially Big Band music from the 30's and 40's. Harold was a quiet man who loved to tinker in his "office" filled with electronics. He was an active ham radio operator and maintained contact with fellow operators around the world. He would help anyone who asked and he would go out of his way to help those in need. If asked to describe his greatest accomplishment and the greatest privilege of his life, Harold would say that it was the blessing of spending every moment he could with his family. Harold was an active member of Central United Methodist Church where he served on the Administrative Board and as president of The Upper Room Sunday School class. One of the things he loved most was when his children were growing up and he and Nell were leaders of the Methodist Youth Fellowship. Harold was a 33rd degree Mason, a Shriner, a member of the Navy League and of VFW post 12124. Harold is survived by his loving wife, Nell; daughters, Ginger and Barbara (Bill) and son, Harold, Jr.; grandsons, Harold Owen, III and Preston Andrew; great-granddaughter, Abigail Lynn Grissom and his sister, Navajo (Jo) G. Robinson. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law, Harold Robinson and nephew, Denny Robinson. Harold Grissom was the most civil of men, honest and polite, an exemplar of grace in everyday life. He led a life measured best, not by its length, but in the breadth and depth of his love family, friends, and the joy of living. He leaves behind a host of family and friends whose lives are all richer for his presence. Harold O. Grissom left this life as he had lived it, with inward strength, determined independence, and unblemished integrity. Pallbearers are Curt Goldacker, Harry Mayer, David Hall, Andy Hodges, Richard Johnson and Jim Wall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Wesley House Community Center, P.O. Box 1207, Meridian, Mississippi. Family and friends may sign the online guest book at robertbarhamffh.com
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