James Granville Stepp

November 15, 1950 - October 25, 2018

James “Jim” Granville Stepp peacefully gained his heavenly wings while surrounded by family at his home in Jacksonville, FL on October 25, 2018, after losing a long battle with heart disease. He was born in 1950 in Ashland, KY to Geneva Preece Stepp and the late Granville Stepp, both natives of Martin County. In addition to his father, Jim was preceded in death by his two brothers Dwight and Hurley Stepp. He is survived by his mother, Geneva Stepp; his wife, Nancy Stepp; his daughter, Genna Hargraves, her husband, Jeff Hargraves, and their son, Hunter Hurley Hargraves, (Michigan); his daughter, Kellie Foran, her husband, Andrew Foran, and their son, Atticus Granville Foran, (Florida). Jim’s leadership skills and goal driven traits were evident in his early life. A natural born leader, Jim was an Eagle Scout at an early age. He graduated from Howell High School in 1969 where he was class president and All-state quarterback. After attending Central Michigan University for two years, Jim joined the Navy and proudly served his country in the early 70’s during the Vietnam War Era. Most of Jim ‘s working life he was involved with repairing or selling heavy equipment. He worked at Martiki Coal Mine in Martin County, KY from the mid 70’s to mid 80’s starting as a driller’s helper and finishing his career there as a maintenance supervisor. After leaving Martiki Jim became a service manager turned salesman for AIS heavy equipment distributor in Novi, MI. Jim continued his tenure in sales with Wolverine Tractor and Equipment in Grand Rapids, MI where he started as a salesman and ended as a sales manager. Jim finished his official career in New Orleans managing sales for Louisiana Machinery just after hurricane Katrina. Retirement number one led Jim to Panama City Beach, FL, our family’s favorite spot for vacationing. While there Jim started another career as a Community Association Manager (CAM) where he managed Watersound, Palazzo, and Emerald Point condominium resort associations. During Jim’s next retirement stage he enjoyed substitute teaching especially at Arnold High School and Haney Technical School in the Panama City, FL area until his heart disease would no longer allow him to work. The last four years Jim spent fighting for his life. After multiple hospital stays, clinic visits, heart pump installation, and hope of a heart transplant, God decided to take Jim home where he would no longer suffer. Jim was not always working. In his spare time, he enjoyed volunteering as a football coach at Sheldon Clark High School and starting a youth football program for the kids in Martin County. He had his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying. Helping his brother, Hurley, with off-shore powerboat racing was one of his pleasures. Recently, his greatest pleasure was spending time with his grandsons, Hunter and Atticus. The Memorial service will be at Callaham Funeral Home in Inez, KY on November 10, 2018, at 11:00 am. Visitation will be the hour preceding the service. Burial of ashes will be at the Preece Family cemetery in Inez, KY after the service. Arrangements are under the direction of the Callaham Funeral Home, Inez, KY. Memorial donations in memory of Jim may be made to Donate Life online at www.donatelife.net