Don Grimes

In the early evening of October 24, 2010, Don Franklin Grimes journeyed to life eternal following a brief illness. Don was born June 24, 1924, in Chillicothe, Ohio, to Oliver Dale Grimes and Lora Mace Grimes. He enjoyed memorable boyhood years growing up on the family farm, Dale-Bel Farm, on the north side of the Scioto River in Chillicothe. The family farmhouse stood along the east side of what is now Bridge Street and the southern most entrance into Chillicothe Mall. Don attended school "in town" and remembered fondly many school day lunches at the home of his paternal grandparents on Fourth Street. Don graduated from Chillicothe High School, class of 1943. On February 10, 1946, he married Norma Jean (Dede) Ratcliff Grimes at Trinity United Methodist Church where they repeated their vows in celebration of their fiftieth wedding anniversary in December of 1995. In his early twenties, Don successfully survived a bout of polio. In 1949, Don, in partnership with his father and brother, founded Grimes Implement Company (John Deere Agricultural Equipment) later called Grimes Equipment Company (John Deere Industrial Equipment). Don, his father, and his brother also partnered to form Zane Development Company which built and developed The Zane Plaza Shopping Center and surrounding commercial areas in Chillicothe. Don was a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge - Scioto Lodge #6. He belonged to the York Rite and was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. He served as president of the local Ross County Shrine Club, and was one of the founding fathers of The Great Seal Chapter of the Order of DeMolay. He was also a member of The Chillicothe Jaycees and The Chillicothe Exchange Club. Don was known for his sense of humor and an ornery wit. He enjoyed hunting, skeet-shooting, and golfing as well as fun-filled weekend outings at "the farm" in Alma, Ohio, and winters in Naples, Florida. Survivors are sons, D. Douglas Grimes (Betsy) of Plano, Texas, and Steven F. Grimes (Kathie) of Waverly, Ohio. He is also survived by five grandchildren, John Bryant Grimes of Plano, Texas; Lauren Elizabeth Grimes of Cleveland, Ohio; Wm Bradley Grimes (Rachel) of Frisco, Texas; Geoffrey Alexander Grimes of Waverly, Ohio; and Candee LiAnna Grimes Costa (Carlos) of Ludlow, Massachusetts. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, William Joseph Grimes and Sawyer Chance Grimes, both of Frisco, Texas, and LuciAnna Costa of Ludlow, Massachusetts. Don is also survived by sister-in-law, Janet Grimes; brother-in-law, George Ratcliff (Charlene); and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews from the Grimes, Mace, and Ratcliff families. Don is predeceased by his wife of sixty-four years, Norma Jean (Dede) Ratcliff Grimes (October 8, 2010); his parents; his brother, Joe Grimes; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Harry J. and Virginia (Ginny) Ratcliff; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Marianne and Jim Rauck, A graveside services will be held at Grandview Cemetery on Friday, October 29, at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Trinity United Methodist Church Searchers Relay for Life Team, c/o Trinity United Methodist Church, Main & Mulberry Street, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601, as advancing cancer research was notably significant to both Don and Dede, or to Trinity United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, c/o Trinity United Methodist Church, Main & Mulberry Street, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601.
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