The Grohl Family Tree: Exploring the Life of James Grohl, Father of Dave Grohl, Know His Family and Legacy

James Grohl is the biological father of Foo Fighters and former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, a well-known musician. James Harper Grohl, aged 75, a resident of Howland Township and Walnut Creek, California, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on December 9, 1938, in Canton, Ohio, he was the son of Alois and Ruth V. (Bonebrake) Grohl. This biography also highlighted James Grohl’s profile, wiki, age, birthdate, family information, relationships, controversies, caste, height, weight, rumors, and little-known facts.  

James Grohl Profile’s Summary

Full Name	James Harper Grohl
Date of Birth	December 9, 1938
Place of Birth	Canton, Stark County, Ohio, USA
Date of Death	6 Aug 2014 (aged 75)
Place of Death	Niles, Trumbull County, Ohio, USA
Parents	Alois and Ruth V. (Bonebrake) Grohl
Gender	Male
Nationality	American
Religion	Christian
Profession	Journalist
Spouse	Virginia Grohl
Children	Dave Grohl and Lisa Grohl
Siblings	Tom Grohl, Daniel Grohl
Grandchildren	Harper Willow Grohl, Violet Grohl

Early Life and Career of James Grohl

James, known as Jim, had a fulfilling career in Journalism that he held dear. He achieved recognition as an Award-Winning Journalist, working for different newspapers, including the Youngstown Vindicator and Columbus Citizens Journal.

He later became the Capitol Reporter in Washington DC for the Scripps-Howard News Network. His time there was briefly interrupted when he served in the United States Army from 1961 to 1964. During the 1960s, he edited the Stars and Stripes Army newspaper in Stuttgart, Germany.

Jim also served as the Special Assistant to Senator Robert A. Taft of Ohio. He concluded his career as the Senior Vice President of the U.S. Savings and Loan League, and he was a Political Consultant in Washington, DC.

Family Life

James Grohl wed Virginia Hanlon in 1969, and on January 14 of that year, the couple had their first child, Dave Grohl. Later, the family relocated to Springfield, Virginia, where James and Virginia reared Dave and Lisa.

James and Virginia shared their children’s desire to pursue music. When Dave was barely 12, James helped him record his first demo tape and taught him how to play the guitar.

James Left to honor his memory are his wife Renie (Yoshida) Grohl; the mother of his children, Virginia Hanlon Grohl; daughter, Lisa Grohl of Sherman Oaks, California; son, David (Jordyn) Grohl of Encino, California; three grandchildren, Violet, Harper, and Ophelia Grohl. He is also survived by his brother Tom Grohl of Howland; his nephew, Brian Grohl of Los Angeles, California; and his niece, Sara Grohl of Arlington, Virginia.

Personal Life

During his retirement, Jim found joy in reading major newspapers daily and offering his critiques on the content and writers. He possessed a keen political insight and was remarkably accurate in predicting election outcomes. An avid fly fisherman, he cherished spending time by a good trout stream.

James Grohl Grandchildren

Three grandkids were born to James Grohl—two from his son Dave and one from his daughter Lisa. Violet Maye Grohl, Harper Willow Grohl, and Ophelia Saint Grohl, born in 2006, 2009, and 2014 respectively, are the two girls that Dave and his wife, Jordyn Blum, have.

Jake Hester, Lisa’s kid, was born in 2000; he is the only child of Lisa and Drew Hester. James had a reputation for being a dedicated and devoted grandfather who valued his time with his grandchildren.

Later Years and Legacy

All of James Grohl’s life, he was active in the music business. He worked as a talent scout and booking agent and played in some bands. He was well-known for his friendly demeanor and his capacity for human connection.

At 76, James Grohl passed away on August 6, 2014. His son Dave, who has emerged as one of his generation’s most successful performers, carries on his tradition. Dave has frequently discussed the impact of his father’s profession in music and the crucial part he played in forming his love of music.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Daniel. Following his wishes, there will be no local calling hours or funeral service. A Memorial Service will be held in Washington, DC.

Musical Influence 

James Grohl’s musical talent and love for music left a deep mark on his son. Dave has often talked about how his dad’s guitar playing and singing at home inspired him to start playing the guitar too.

But James wasn’t just a musical influence – he was also a mentor. He gave Dave advice on getting better at music and encouraged him to follow his dreams. As Dave’s career took off, James remained a constant source of support and motivation. He was proud of what his son achieved and he even went to many of Dave’s concerts to cheer him on.

The impact of James Grohl goes beyond just music. He was respected in the music world and known for his kind and caring nature. When he passed away, many of his friends and colleagues shared heartfelt tributes, praising him as a true gentleman and an amazing friend. His legacy lives on, not only in his son’s successful career but also in the way he touched the lives of those around him.

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