Elwin James Grimes

© Amarillo Globe News

Dec. 21, 2001

Submitted by: Alex Carter

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Coffey Memorial Chapel in Durant, Okla. Burial will be in Rosewood Cemetery in Achille, Okla. Arrangements are by Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 S. Bell St.

Mr. Grimes was born Aug. 5, 1917, at Achille. He married Pauline Bolinger in Durant on Sept. 18, 1939. They were married for more than 62 years. He graduated from Achille High School in 1935 and received a bachelor's degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and a master's degree from Oklahoma State University.

He was a longtime resident of Borger. He was a principal and teacher in Borger schools for 30 years, retiring in 1977. He and his wife, Pauline, moved to Amarillo in June 1999.

He served in the Navy during World War II. Most of his service was aboard the USS Gunston Hall in the South Pacific. He was awarded the American Theatre, Asiatic Pacific and Philippine Liberation ribbons with seven bronze service stars and victory and good conduct medals. He was honorably discharged after the war.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mae Grimes; his father, Lonnie Grimes; two brothers, Owen and Harold; and a sister, Mildred.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Dr. Gary Grimes and wife, Nancy, of Wichita Falls; a brother, Lonnie Grimes and wife, Nancy, of Amarillo; two sisters, Medrith Grimes and Joyce Ladd and husband, C.B., all of Bennington, Okla.; a grandson, Gant Grimes and wife, Courtney, of Arlington; and a granddaughter, Reagan Grimes of Sacramento, Calif.

The family suggests memorials be to Baptist St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Program, 200 N.W. Seventh Ave., Amarillo, TX 79107.

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