Long Beach
John Grigsby, a pioneer in Long Beach’s black community, has died of kidney cancer. He was 92.
Grigsby, viewed as a father figure in the central city, was remembered Tuesday at a funeral service at St. John’s Baptist Church, which he helped found.
Grigsby, who had lived here since 1937, was named an outstanding senior citizen by the City Council in 1980. He helped found the city’s Colored Citizens League and organize its first black Boy Scout troop. He was also one of the first members of the local chapter of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People.
He remained active almost until his death, serving as a church deacon, a director of the NAACP and at a health-care program for senior citizens.
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