James Richard Gravley

James Richard Gravley, 69, of Brevard, passed away on August 10, 2023. A Transylvania County native, he was the son of the late Ernest D. and Margaret Lydia Phillips Gravley.  In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his son, Josh Gravley, and his brother, Johnny Gravley.

A 1973 graduate of Brevard High School where he played baseball and basketball, James worked at Ecusta for 24 years. He then began working with his brothers and his father, working as J & J Painting until he retired in November 2021.

He played softball at the South Broad Field in downtown Brevard along with his brother Larry, where they formed a well-known keystone combination at second base and shortstop where they were well known for their work at turning double-plays.

James later played in the Ecusta League at Strauss Park. He enjoyed taking his sons with him across much of North Carolina and Tennessee as he played in softball tournaments. He also enjoyed playing golf on the weekends with his sons Corey and Wes and other good friends, like Mike Surrett, who always commented how he “always had to hit the ball a little farther.”

James enjoyed woodworking, building furniture as well as bird houses, planting and raising his vegetable garden as well as his flower garden, and bass fishing in South Carolina and North Carolina.

But his greatest love was his family. He is survived by his children: Ameran Gravley, Corey Gravley and Wes Gravley; his sisters Suzanne Smith and Linda Entrekin and brothers Walter Gravley, Jerry Gravley and Larry Gravley.

He is, and will always be, our hero.

Services will be private.