James Malcolm Grear, 84, of Wakefield, Rhode Island, died peacefully on January 24, 2016. He was born in Wayne County, Kentucky, on June 12, 1931 to Carl and Elizabeth (Canada) Grear. He is survived by his loving prairie flower, Clarice Simpson Grear, his brother Glenn Grear, his sister Paula Burkett of Kentucky, four beloved children Joel Grear, Amie Grear Ray, Jason Grear, Leah Grear, their spouses and partners, nine grandchildren, one great grandchild, and many loving nieces and nephews, countless friends and devoted colleagues. Malcolm served four years as an aircraft carrier metal smith in the US Navy. After attending the Art Academy of Cincinnati and teaching at the University of Louisville, he joined the Rhode Island School of Design faculty in 1960 and opened Malcolm Grear Designers, Inc., in Providence. During his nearly four decades at RISD and his continuing work at his studio, he was a devoted teacher and mentor and received numerous honors, honorary doctorates, and teaching awards. Malcolm loved his family, friends, and the people and community he served.
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