J. D. was born at home to Albert M., and Eula Proffitt Grammer. He had poor eyesight due to what the doctor said, from being born in front of a blazing and bright fire. After his parents divorce, he gained a step-mother when his father married Ruth Savage. Alas, he was not to have her for long in his life as she passed away at a young age. Later, Ella stepped in as step mother number two.
At the age of 20, J. D. ,met and married Pauline Wilson in 1934. After producing two sons, the marriage eventually dissolved due to irreconcilable differences.
J. D. began his career working on the K & T railroad and inadvertently became a lineman because the men hired to do the job were too frightened to carry lines across a creek. Finding that he excelled in being an electrician, he went at it with enthusiasm. Always on the lookout for the newest development in his profession, he installed some of the first fluorescent lighting in Dallas. In 1953, he met and married Mary Oleta Sullivan Coffey. They both managed Boyd Electric Service located in University Park. While on a scaffold in a metal warehouse, J.D. was installing wiring. An inexperienced helper restored power before it was safe to do so. He was electrocuted and nearly destroyed his left hand as he struggled to free himself from the current. Surgery was attempted to save his forefinger, ring finger and small finger and left him with with a crippled hand.
In the mid 1960's, he suffered a perforated stomach ulcer which he survived through emergency surgery at the Dallas Veteran's Administration Hospital.
When Boyd Electric went under, he signed on to work with Frymire. Unsatisfied, he co-founded with his business partner Frank Charles, C & G Electric which operated for over twenty years. After C & G closed their doors for good, he contracted to work with WHH Properties, Inc., as well as Lydon Paul Electric. He was well-respected, and very much in demand for his expertise. Customers seemed to think there was nothing he could not do. He was called upon to do projects from installation of the newest electrical technology for the home and business, to decorating expansive yards for the Christmas holidays. Being so popular won him the opportunity to install the wiring for country singer Charlie Pride's home in the Park Cities.
Declining health led him to his physician, and ultimately being diagnosed with emphysema. Despite retirement from work, and daily treatments, J. D. suffered a fatal stroke. After eating his favorite strawberry ice cream, he collapsed onto the coffee table where he was sitting watching television and passed away at home on Wednesday, May 5, 1993.
Grand Parents:
John David Grammer
Julia Ann Walters Grammer
At the age of 20, J. D. ,met and married Pauline Wilson in 1934. After producing two sons, the marriage eventually dissolved due to irreconcilable differences.
J. D. began his career working on the K & T railroad and inadvertently became a lineman because the men hired to do the job were too frightened to carry lines across a creek. Finding that he excelled in being an electrician, he went at it with enthusiasm. Always on the lookout for the newest development in his profession, he installed some of the first fluorescent lighting in Dallas. In 1953, he met and married Mary Oleta Sullivan Coffey. They both managed Boyd Electric Service located in University Park. While on a scaffold in a metal warehouse, J.D. was installing wiring. An inexperienced helper restored power before it was safe to do so. He was electrocuted and nearly destroyed his left hand as he struggled to free himself from the current. Surgery was attempted to save his forefinger, ring finger and small finger and left him with with a crippled hand.
In the mid 1960's, he suffered a perforated stomach ulcer which he survived through emergency surgery at the Dallas Veteran's Administration Hospital.
When Boyd Electric went under, he signed on to work with Frymire. Unsatisfied, he co-founded with his business partner Frank Charles, C & G Electric which operated for over twenty years. After C & G closed their doors for good, he contracted to work with WHH Properties, Inc., as well as Lydon Paul Electric. He was well-respected, and very much in demand for his expertise. Customers seemed to think there was nothing he could not do. He was called upon to do projects from installation of the newest electrical technology for the home and business, to decorating expansive yards for the Christmas holidays. Being so popular won him the opportunity to install the wiring for country singer Charlie Pride's home in the Park Cities.
Declining health led him to his physician, and ultimately being diagnosed with emphysema. Despite retirement from work, and daily treatments, J. D. suffered a fatal stroke. After eating his favorite strawberry ice cream, he collapsed onto the coffee table where he was sitting watching television and passed away at home on Wednesday, May 5, 1993.
Grand Parents:
John David Grammer
Julia Ann Walters Grammer
J. D. was born at home to Albert M., and Eula Proffitt Grammer. He had poor eyesight due to what the doctor said, from being born in front of a blazing and bright fire. After his parents divorce, he gained a step-mother when his father married Ruth Savage. Alas, he was not to have her for long in his life as she passed away at a young age. Later, Ella stepped in as step mother number two.
At the age of 20, J. D. ,met and married Pauline Wilson in 1934. After producing two sons, the marriage eventually dissolved due to irreconcilable differences.
J. D. began his career working on the K & T railroad and inadvertently became a lineman because the men hired to do the job were too frightened to carry lines across a creek. Finding that he excelled in being an electrician, he went at it with enthusiasm. Always on the lookout for the newest development in his profession, he installed some of the first fluorescent lighting in Dallas. In 1953, he met and married Mary Oleta Sullivan Coffey. They both managed Boyd Electric Service located in University Park. While on a scaffold in a metal warehouse, J.D. was installing wiring. An inexperienced helper restored power before it was safe to do so. He was electrocuted and nearly destroyed his left hand as he struggled to free himself from the current. Surgery was attempted to save his forefinger, ring finger and small finger and left him with with a crippled hand.
In the mid 1960's, he suffered a perforated stomach ulcer which he survived through emergency surgery at the Dallas Veteran's Administration Hospital.
When Boyd Electric went under, he signed on to work with Frymire. Unsatisfied, he co-founded with his business partner Frank Charles, C & G Electric which operated for over twenty years. After C & G closed their doors for good, he contracted to work with WHH Properties, Inc., as well as Lydon Paul Electric. He was well-respected, and very much in demand for his expertise. Customers seemed to think there was nothing he could not do. He was called upon to do projects from installation of the newest electrical technology for the home and business, to decorating expansive yards for the Christmas holidays. Being so popular won him the opportunity to install the wiring for country singer Charlie Pride's home in the Park Cities.
Declining health led him to his physician, and ultimately being diagnosed with emphysema. Despite retirement from work, and daily treatments, J. D. suffered a fatal stroke. After eating his favorite strawberry ice cream, he collapsed onto the coffee table where he was sitting watching television and passed away at home on Wednesday, May 5, 1993.
Grand Parents:
John David Grammer
Julia Ann Walters Grammer
At the age of 20, J. D. ,met and married Pauline Wilson in 1934. After producing two sons, the marriage eventually dissolved due to irreconcilable differences.
J. D. began his career working on the K & T railroad and inadvertently became a lineman because the men hired to do the job were too frightened to carry lines across a creek. Finding that he excelled in being an electrician, he went at it with enthusiasm. Always on the lookout for the newest development in his profession, he installed some of the first fluorescent lighting in Dallas. In 1953, he met and married Mary Oleta Sullivan Coffey. They both managed Boyd Electric Service located in University Park. While on a scaffold in a metal warehouse, J.D. was installing wiring. An inexperienced helper restored power before it was safe to do so. He was electrocuted and nearly destroyed his left hand as he struggled to free himself from the current. Surgery was attempted to save his forefinger, ring finger and small finger and left him with with a crippled hand.
In the mid 1960's, he suffered a perforated stomach ulcer which he survived through emergency surgery at the Dallas Veteran's Administration Hospital.
When Boyd Electric went under, he signed on to work with Frymire. Unsatisfied, he co-founded with his business partner Frank Charles, C & G Electric which operated for over twenty years. After C & G closed their doors for good, he contracted to work with WHH Properties, Inc., as well as Lydon Paul Electric. He was well-respected, and very much in demand for his expertise. Customers seemed to think there was nothing he could not do. He was called upon to do projects from installation of the newest electrical technology for the home and business, to decorating expansive yards for the Christmas holidays. Being so popular won him the opportunity to install the wiring for country singer Charlie Pride's home in the Park Cities.
Declining health led him to his physician, and ultimately being diagnosed with emphysema. Despite retirement from work, and daily treatments, J. D. suffered a fatal stroke. After eating his favorite strawberry ice cream, he collapsed onto the coffee table where he was sitting watching television and passed away at home on Wednesday, May 5, 1993.
Grand Parents:
John David Grammer
Julia Ann Walters Grammer
Bio by: Mary Ann Brown-Powell
