Jacques Christian Grillon

July 13, 2011

Jacques Christian Grillon, 86, of Tuscumbia, passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at Helen Keller Hospital.

Mr. Grillon was born in Gironde, France.  At age 16, the Nazi forces rumbled into the southwestern town in France where he grew up and then lived under the heel of Nazi oppression.  Simple living was reduced to existence.  He watched as his friends were executed in the town square and knew he had to escape to be free.  After a treacherous and dangerous 200 mile walk, he arrived in Toulon, France in February, 1942 to join the French Resistance.  He spent time on the destroyer ship, Le Terrible, which in November 1942 surrendered to the Germans.  After being held captive for 3 months, he made yet another run for freedom. He joined the Free French Navy in 1943 and was on the ship Le Gloire (The Glory) which was attacked by the Germans.  He eventually made his way to America where he became a U.S. Citizen. In 1951, the year after the Korean War began, he joined the U.S. Air Force where he spent the next 25 years proudly serving his country that gave him the long sought freedom and retired as a MSGT. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Pauline Fuller Grillon; niece, Barbara Muller, of Russellville; grandson, Chris Kavalesky, of Niceville, Fla.; special friends, George and Margaret Bates, Mary Aday, all of Tuscumbia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Camille and Paule Grillon; a sister; a brother; step-son, and step-daughter.

The pallbearers will be George Bates, Lloyd Jeffreys, Jeff Wicks, Greg Upton, Matt Mothershed, and Randy Seymour

The graveside service will be Saturday, July 16, 2011 at 2 p.m. at Franklin Memory Gardens with military honors.  Bro. Jerrold Davis will officiate at the service.  Interment will be at Franklin Memory Gardens.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the 3rd floor Nurses at Helen Keller; Margaret, George, Mary, and Barbara for the love and care shown towards the family.