Thomas "Tom" Leonard Grigson, Jr.

A Celebration of Life for Mr. Thomas “Tom” Leonard Grigson, Jr., 72, of Monroe, LA, will be 11:00 AM Friday, August 9, 2024, at North Monroe Baptist Church, with Dr. Bill Dye officiating. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home Monroe. 

The measure of a man is not determined by his show of outward strength or the volume of his voice, the thunder of his actions, his intellect or academic abilities. It is seen rather in terms of: his love that he has for his family and for everyone else, the strength of his commitments, the genuineness of his friendships, the sincerity of his purpose, the quiet courage of his convictions, the fun, laughter, joy and happiness he gives to his family and to others, his love of life, his patience, his honesty, and his contentment with what he had. 

Tom was called home on August 3, 2024, after a courageous battle with his health. He was born May 6, 1952, to Laura and T. L. Grigson in Texarkana, AR. He was a hard worker always, back when he and his mom, Laura, rolled newspapers and he threw them out before going to school every morning and in the afternoons after school. Tom passed up many things, including playing football at Neville High School even when the coaches came to his house to talk to his parents about it. He felt he needed to help his parents more than needing to play football. In 1970, Tom’s senior year, his classmates voted him the male “Most Likely To Succeed” and Succeed he did!

While attending NLU, Tom started also working at Olinkraft when he was 20 years old. He went to college but decided to quit school and marry Cheryl and start their married life together at the age of 22. His hard work ethics caught the eye of what was then called Manville, a west coast plant which was built in Bakersfield, CA, and in January 1981, Cheryl, Tom and their family were transferred to Bakersfield, CA. Tom worked hard and was promoted to plant manager. The family enjoyed the time there from 1981-1991 and transferred back to Monroe to be close to family. But kept the wonderful friendships that were made there those 10 years. Tom retired from Graphic Packaging after 35 years in the paper business. 

Tom and Cheryl were blessed with three sons that are everything to them. He enjoyed all the special times coaching them, helping them to mow yards for them to make extra money; he loved helping the boys whenever he was needed. Tom was a strong Father figure that expected a lot from his boys, and they didn’t want to disappoint him. 

He continued helping the boys when it was time to get ready for the grandchildren, he so loved all his favorite “Little People”. They were the apple of his eye and loved showing off their pictures to everyone. Tom always had a love for music, bands and loved the times he and his friends could take a “road trip” to see some of their favorites. There were always stories to be told. Before getting sick, Tom enjoyed life to the fullest, enjoying trips with the family or trips with just he and his “Bride”. He loved Halloween but especially Christmas with all the blow-ups in the yard, loved seeing the grands and all the kids’ faces having fun. He was like Santa and loved all the decorations and decorating too. His favorite hobby and pastime was working in his yard, as he has always loved a pretty yard. Neighbors always enjoyed seeing him and visiting while he was out on his John Deere mower with the trailer that Thomas loved to ride in. He hated daylight savings time because he’d have to come in out of the yard earlier than the rest of the year. If you knew Tom, you knew a big teddy bear that had a heart of a fighter and was always there to do what was needed and help whoever needed it. 

Tom is preceded in death by his mother, Laura McAdams Grigson; father, (T.L.) Thomas Leonard Grigson; mother-in-law, Julia May Kelly; and fathers-in-law, Howard V. Brown and James C. Kelly.

Left to cherish his memory, his wife of 49 years, Cheryl; three sons, Corey Grigson and wife Kristi, Ryan Grigson and wife Jessica and Brett Grigson; seven grandchildren, Caroline Grigson, Thomas Grigson, Payton Eppinette, Eli Eppinette, Nola Grigson, Matt Grigson, and Ella Grigson; his fur baby, “Miss Sadie”; sister, Lauren Vincent and husband Lee; two brothers, John Grigson and Randy Grigson and wife Helen; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many special friends. 

Pallbearers will be Charles Brown, Tim Carter, Bruce Hanks, Pete Minninger, Johnny Portman, Joe Reljac, Lee Vincent, and Cary Zeagler.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, North Monroe Baptist Church, or to the charity of your choice. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staffs of Ouachita Healthcare Rehabilitation Center and Allegiance Hospice.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Thursday, August 8, 2024, at North Monroe Baptist Church.