James Grayson Napier

James Grayson Napier, born June 23, 1951 in Clay County, Kentucky passed away at age 73 on January 25, 2025 at his home on Gilbert’s Creek, Kentucky. After working on the family farm and graduating Red Bird High School, James, as he preferred to be called, joined the post-Vietnam era United States Army. He served an active-duty Army tour and retired from the Army reserve. He also worked in the coal mines and on building construction projects in various states and was a volunteer with the American Red Cross Disaster Relief. He retired to Gilbert’s Creek, where he built a modest tiny home and garden in the Appalachian Mountain foothills.

A fiercely independent and proud minimalist-living mountain man of Scotch-Irish descent, James was a committed American patriot who loved his country, the Appalachian Mountains, and enjoyed watching and telling stories about local wildlife raiding his beehives and corn patch. 

James was preceded in passing by his father, Henry Taft Napier, and mother, Maudie Hollen Napier; his sisters, Ethel Mae Napier and Helen Napier; and his brothers, Daryl Napier and Zachary Napier.  

James is survived by a host of family members in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois, Florida, South Carolina, California, and Texas.  

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Disabled American Veterans.  

Visitation will be Friday, February 7 at 10:00 AM at the Rominger Funeral Home Chapel in Manchester, Kentucky.  

Funeral Services for James Grayson Napier will follow at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 7, 2025 with Stephen Hollen and Dwayne Yost officiating. James will be laid to rest, according to his wishes, in the Mill Springs National Cemetery, Nancy, Kentucky. May he rest in eternal peace among his fellow patriots.  

Arrangements are entrusted to the Rominger Funeral Home.