James Arthur (Jim) Grinlinton, devoted husband, proud father, big brother and overall great man died peacefully in Lee’s Summit, MO on November 16, 2022, at age 81 by the side of his loving wife, Carole.

Jim graduated from Atchison High School, Atchison, Kansas in 1960. It was while a student in high school that he learned to work on cars. He was gifted a can of pinstripe paint and a lifelong passion began. Jim enlisted in the US Army shortly after graduation, and later attended Pittsburg State College and Central Missouri College to become a teacher. His craft of illustrative and graphic arts began to grow. His talents included the following: pinstriping by hand and brush, book illustration, painting commercial signs, and creating many advertisements and automotive cartoons for trade magazines. Working for names such as Hallmark Cards, Hershey’s Signs and later going into business for himself, Slik Signs and Graphics, his talents earned Jim a spot in the Pinstripers Hall of Fame by Mack Brush. You can find his sign work currently on display at the Kansas City Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. He was a collector of Bob Byerley paintings and was included as the subject with two of his grandsons in Bob Byerley’s painting “The Dare Devil.” A man of many interests, he enjoyed fly fishing, RV camping and street rodding. Jim was a member of the Rod-Tiques Kansas City Car Club since 1970, holding the position of president for two years. He followed many cars show circuits, and you could find him at local car shows, the World of Wheels; and he was once the Missouri Representative for the National Street Rod Association. Jim would proudly share stories of being a street rodder, showing photos of his 1929 Sedan “Apple Crate,” 1934 Ford, 1949 Mercury, and his final beauty - a 1956 Chevy – all detailed with the Slik signature pinstripe detail. He also was a substitute teacher for the Fort Osage School District in Independence, MO where he encouraged young people to learn a trade.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence Grinlinton and Ethel Kramer, sisters Jerene Moxley, Phyllis Dove, Kay Garten, his son, David Grinlinton and the mother of his children, Sue Schwein Grinlinton.

He is survived by his wife and best friend of 31 years, Carole Grinlinton of the home. Sons: Jeff Grinlinton, Tom (Melissa) Grinlinton. Daughters: Teri Grinlinton and Michelle (Travis) Forbes. Grandchildren: Joshua, Jonah, Lily and Aria Grinlinton, Logan Gray, Tanner Forbes and Raven Miller. Siblings: Steve, Claude, Sally, Rick and Lisa. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and so many friends.

Those who knew Jim knew him as a humble and kind man with a quick-witted sense of humor and provider of hugs that you felt to your core. He will be missed by many.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, November 27, 2022, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm at Memorial Station, 602 Maurer Parkway, Belton, MO 64012.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Research Foundation, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, American Cancer Society, or any charity close to your heart.