Dean Grimes

Dean Grimes, 91, passed away peacefully on Friday December 26, 2014 with family members at his side. He lived a long and meaningful life that he would have described as “fantastic.”

Dean Elmo Grimes was born on September 2, 1923, in Ursa, IL to Harold and Fae Grimes. He is survived by his three children: son, Terry (and Sue) Grimes of Kampsville, IL, daughter, Sandy (and Dave) Wood of Galesburg, and daughter Nan (and Bob) Watson of Ft. Collins, CO. Also surviving are 8 grandchildren, Nathan (and Stacey) Grimes, Ian (and Jennifer) Grimes and Seth (and Stacey) Grimes; Sara, Ryan and Mike (Megan MacDougall) Wood; Emily and Elissa Watson. He had seven great grandchildren: Brennen, Zakary, Tyler, John, Julia, Evan and Caleb. Dean’s parents and two brothers, Leroy and Maurice, preceded him in death.  He had many nieces and nephews: Diane, Jan, Brad, Kathy, Kent, Beverly, Rita, Linda and Tom who viewed their Uncle Dean and Aunt Jackie as very significant people in their lives.

Dean built a grand life through good old fashioned hard work, dedication to values, and love of family, friends and country. He was the type of person who would light up any room he entered and he left an indelible mark on the lives of many. He was a country boy who grew up on the family farm in Ursa, IL.  He was the youngest of the Grimes boys who were renowned for their leadership and athletic prowess. All three sons excelled in basketball and track and broke many school records. Upon his graduation from Mendon High School he began his college years at Culver Stockton College in Canton, Missouri but when World War II broke out, he entered the Naval Air Corps. As a bombardier, his plane flew over Hiroshima and Nagasaki viewing the devastation as the war ended. He returned to Culver Stockton when the war ended and during his final years at college, he taught at Canton High School, was their varsity basketball coach and was known for his winning record.

Dean met the love of his life, Jackie Koch, in 1942 and they married shortly after World War II ended in 1945. Upon graduation from Culver Stockton in 1948, Dean soon began his 40 year career with Moorman Manufacturing Company. At Moorman’s, he was a salesman, district sales manager and state sales manager before becoming the general manager of the Alpha plant in 1959.  The Alpha division was the first manufacturing plant outside of the Quincy area and the plant grew from 42 employees to 126 employees under Grimes’ leadership.

Dean often used his “coaching” abilities when managing his employees as he seemed to bring out the best in each individual with his encouragement and inspiration. His faithful and loyal employees were often fondly referred to as his “2^nd family” and many of his former employees have continued to stay in touch over the past 25 years.

Throughout his life he had a strong passion for agribusiness and was active in community, civic and farm related activities.  He initiated and served as President of the Alpha Chamber of Commerce in 1960 and was an original board member of the Alwood Business Association. He served on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education and served as Chairman of the Sponsoring Committee of the Illinois Future Farmers of America Foundation and as the President of its Board of Directors. Because of his work in agriculture, he received the Honorary American Farmer Degree.