James (Jim) T. Grillot, loving father, grandfather and friend, passed away Saturday, June 5, 2010. Jim is survived by his two daughters, Suzette and Angela; son-in-law, Pat; three grandchildren, Hannah, Will and Michael; brother, Francis, Jr.; sister-in-law, Mary Ellen; nephew, Tim; nieces, Tammy, Jackie and Jan; and numerous friends and extended family members.

Jim was born in Parsons, Kansas, on January 17, 1944 to Francis, Sr. and Eleanor Grillot. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Parsons until his graduation from Parsons High School in 1962. He then attended Labette County Community College in Parsons and ultimately graduated from Wichita State University with a degree in business. He married Karen Hoff in 1966 and moved to Tulsa, OK with wife and daughter, Suzette, in 1968, where his second daughter,Angela, was born in 1970.

In the late 1970s, Jim took up fashion photography and soon quit his sales job to launch his own business known as "Jim Grillot Photographer". He quickly established himself as "the" pageant photographer in the state of Oklahoma, becoming the official photographer for the Miss Oklahoma scholarship pageant in 1986. Jim also served as the official photographer for the Miss Rodeo USA pageant for more than 20 years. He traveled the state and throughout the region photographing young women involved in various pageants. Jim loved his pageant families, with whom he enjoyed many laughs and lots of hugs.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Jim Grillot willl be held at First United Methodist Church, Tulsa, on Monday June 14, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Jim Grillot Memorial Fund. Donations may be sent to the Tulsa Kiwanis Foundation, Miss Oklahoma Fund, 3211 S. Lakewood, Tulsa, OK 74135.

Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Private condolences may be sent to www.fitzgeraldivychapel.com .