James Raymond (Grizz) Baty was born October 7, 1948, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the second of three sons born to Donald Delashmutt Baty and Dorothy Jane Cochrell Baty. He married his high school sweetheart, Vicki Robertson, on October 10, 1966.

Jim enjoyed doing things his own way; this made attending school a challenge, though he managed to find it in him to attend as many shop classes as possible. This gave him the opportunity one day to work on Mr. Thomas's car, which he and a friend decided to take on a bit of a joyride. They sailed down one of the steep Ottumwa streets near the high school and hit a pothole large enough to send the car sailing, much to the surprise of an elderly witness enjoying a quiet morning on her porch. He also spoke with pride on his antics of racing Jim Hetzler along the "new highway" in Ottumwa on his way to school.

Jim and Vicki graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1966 and married that fall. Not long after, they moved to Des Moines until Jim volunteered for the Army in 1968. Jim completed Basic Training and Airborne Jump School (despite undiagnosed narcolepsy, which made staying awake for orders before parachuting rather difficult) and was then sent to Wiesbaden, Germany, where he served as a paratrooper and tank engineer. While with the Army, Jim earned several awards, including the Airborne Medal and several sharpshooting medals. Vicki joined him not long after his deployment began, and they started their family with the birth of their first son, James Raymond II (Jim), in 1969. While stationed overseas, his least favorite aspect of German life was the overpowering smell of sauerkraut cooking every Sunday; the odor was inescapable in their neighborhood.

In 1970, Jim declined the Army's offer to re-up and returned home to Iowa with his wife and newborn son. He initially worked for his father-in-law on the Robertson farm, but after getting three different tractors stuck in muddy fields over one spring, Don Robertson decided to offer him a job at his electrical company as an estimator. Jim and Vicki welcomed their second son, John Robertson, in 1971 while Jim learned the tricks of the electrical trade with his father-in-law. Don's decision launched a lifetime career for Jim, who worked as an electrician, electrical contractor, and partner in ownership of Baty Electric with his son, John, until his passing.

While living in Ottumwa, Jim and Vicki raised bulldogs, including the Ottumwa High School mascot named Archie, who was stolen and never recovered. Dogs were always a major portion of his life, from coonhounds and coyote hounds to his favorites, a series of beloved Labrador Retrievers, including Ginger, Jake, Chase, and his current best buddy, Smoke.

At some point in the 1970's, a friend made a passing comment about Jim's resemblance to the bearded movie character Grizzly Adams, and the name stuck for the next five decades.

In 1981, Grizz moved his family to rural Moravia, and later to their current home in town, which he and his sons labored on for several years to turn it into the family home it is now. Grizz worked hard to build his family's life in Moravia, and in partnership with his younger son, John, grew Baty Electric into a thriving and well-respected business. In 2020, Grizz earned the Contractor of the Year Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors for his many years in service to the people of southern Iowa. Later that year, Jim and Vicki were chosen to be the King and Queen of the Moravia Fall Festival, due to their longtime dedication to the community.

In 2003, Grizz added farming to his pursuits, and enjoyed working with and improving the land at Grizzly Ridge and the family's timber farm. He took his Lab to run at the farm twice a day every single day, year round. The Moravia Firefighters would know that farm best for Grizz's yearly field burnoffs, in which he often needed assistance (or intervention).

When he wasn't working (which he did until only a few days before his passing), he loved to hunt and fish both at home in Iowa and out West, and the Baty home is filled with his many whitetail trophy mounts. For years, the couple spent as much time as possible at their Dubois, Wyoming cabin, where he hunted big game and loved getaway time with Vick in the mountains. He loved cooking steak on the grill, smoking meats, and sitting at the computer buying who knows what on the internet (most of which he did not check the details or validity of before ordering).

His greatest source of pride and his whole heart full of love was his two sons and his six grandchildren. He treasured every moment, every ornery prank, and every milestone produced by the younger Batys. He was immensely proud of each of them.

His advice, given to every child and grandchild before a driving trip to anywhere farther than down the street, was always "Watch the crazies."

Jim passed away on March 28, 2024 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines, surrounded by his wife and his two sons, of whom he was most proud.

Grizz was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Walt; and his nephew, Phil. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Vicki; his children: John (Stacy) Baty and Jim (Julie) Baty; his six grandchildren: Sydney Baty, Trevor Baty, Trenton (Grace) Baty, Zane (Cierra) Baty, Spencer Baty, and Tessa Baty; his brother, Randy (Becky) Baty; his sister-in-law Becky Baty; his brother-in-law Val Peterson; and his beloved dog, Smoke.

No services are planned at this time. As per his wishes, cremation was afforded and a Celebration of Life will be held in late spring at Grizzly Ridge outside Moravia. Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia is caring for Grizz and his family. Memorials may be sent to The Baty Family, PO Box 363, Moravia IA 52571 to be directed to either the Welcome Home Soldier Monument in Albia or a Moravia community or school project, to be determined at a later date.