James A. Grant, 89; Planner, CIA Officer

James A. Grant, 89, a CIA officer who also was the town of Vienna's planning director, died April 10 at his home in Vienna. He had Parkinson's disease.

Mr. Grant worked for the Central Intelligence Agency from 1947 to 1970, much of the time using his expertise in economics.

He was chairman of the Vienna Planning Commission from 1963 to 1970 and then spent 17 years as planning director and assistant to the town manager. He was an early proponent of recycling in Vienna as well as building bike paths and public transportation systems.

James Aldrich Grant was a Seattle native and a 1940 economics and business graduate of the University of Washington.

He received a master's degree in international relations from Georgetown University in 1948 and a master's degree in urban affairs from Virginia Tech in 1977.

He served in the Army during World War II and participated in the invasion of North Africa, Sicily and Italy.

His decorations included the Silver Star, for rescuing a soldier under enemy fire, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

He was a former president of the Vienna Rotary Club and parent-teacher organizations in Vienna. He also was a senior warden of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna and a member of the American Planning Association. His hobbies included woodworking and listening to classical music.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Margaret Allen Grant of Vienna; four children, Allen Grant of Chaptico, Md., Suzanne Grant of Seattle, Peggy Minckler of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Lucinda Clarke of Portsmouth, N.H.; six grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

-- Adam Bernstein