November 5, 1954 - January 8, 2026

Dr. Larry James Grisham, age 71, of Spring City, Tennessee, passed away on January 8, 2026. He was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on November 5, 1954, to Luther and Margaret Grisham.

Dr. Larry Grisham was a man of deep convictions and steadfast faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a car enthusiast, a skilled machinist, and labored for many years with fuel pumps and computer systems while working at United Pump and Controls in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Though his hands were gifted in many trades, it was his heart for Christ—and his desire to honor Him—that truly defined his life.

Larry and his wife Judy trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior on March 1, 1981. From that moment forward, their lives were transformed. Brother Larry developed a deep hunger for the Scriptures, which led him to teach the adult Sunday School class at Mineral Park Baptist Church for ten years. Eventually, he surrendered to God’s call on his life to preach the Gospel.

In 1992, Brother Larry became the pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Harrison, Tennessee, where he faithfully served for 25 years. During his pastorate, the Lord used him to accomplish much. Under his leadership, the church built a new sanctuary and a new fellowship hall. He earned a Doctorate in Theology and taught for several years at Faith Baptist Institute under the authority of Concord Baptist Church, pastored by Brother Sammy Allen.

Pastor Grisham led many people to Christ and saw numerous young men answer the call to preach. In 2007, under his leadership, Faith Baptist Church in Spring City, Tennessee, was established as a church plant out of Friendship Baptist Church. He and Judy raised two beloved daughters, Alyson and Amy, who followed the same path of faithfulness that was modeled before them by Larry and Judy. Each became a pastor’s wife, still standing faithfully beside their husbands in the work of the ministry.

Larry and Judy also lovingly adopted their grandson, Lucas James Grisham, and raised him from birth. In the later years of Brother Larry’s life, as his health declined, Lucas faithfully cared for him. Through that season, Lucas proved himself to be a fine Christian man who serves the Lord faithfully at Faith Baptist Church, in Spring City, Tennessee.

In his final months, Brother Larry was lovingly cared for around the clock by his wife Judy and their grandson Lucas. Through long days and quiet nights, they faithfully tended to his needs, standing beside him with patience, devotion, and love. Though their journey together included many hardships, their love for one another proved to be a living testimony to the grace of God for 47 years.

Brother Larry was known as a Bible preacher and was also an author of several books. One of the greatest legacies he leaves behind is that he was truly a preacher’s friend. He mentored many ministers and freely gave away books and resources to encourage others in the work of the Gospel.

Following Brother Grisham’s tenure, Friendship Baptist Church came to be pastored by his son-in-law, Brother Cagney Bradley, who had been trained under Brother Grisham for many years. Bro. Bradley still remains the faithful pastor at Friendship Baptist today.

Brother Larry devoted much of his life to making an eternal difference for the Kingdom of God. His favorite verse was Psa_42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. For a lifetime he longed for the presence of the Lord; now that longing has been satisfied. He no longer pants after the Living Water—he stands forever in the presence of the One his soul loved.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his spouse, Judy Grisham; his children, Angela Lynn Grisham, Alyson (Timothy) Giddens, Amy (Cagney) Bradley, and Lucas James Grisham; his sisters, Betty Jo Webb and Tona Thompson; and his grandchildren, Sarah Brown, Aaron Giddens, Brooklyn Bradley, Hutch Bradley, and Lincoln Bradley.

Funeral services for Larry will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Coulter Garrison Funeral Home, with Bro. Timothy Giddens and Bro. Cagney Bradley officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow in Bald Hill Cemetery in Birchwood, Tennessee.