Roll Call Tribute

Munford Funeral Homes obituary
Millington Chapel
7450 Raleigh Millington Rd.
Millington, TN 38053
Phone: (901) 873-0123

George Murray Grimes DVM
April 17, 2017

June 4, 1920—April 7, 2017
Dr. Grimes grew up on a farm near Drummonds, Tennessee. He attended the A&M College of Texas (now Texas A&M University) and graduated a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1942. He practiced veterinary medicine in Arkansas and Tennessee before he entered the U.S. Army as a Captain. He
retired as a Colonel after serving his country for 21 years in Holland, Germany, Okinawa, and numerous posts in the United States earning the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and other military awards. Between assignments, he and his family always returned to his beloved farm in Tipton County. Soon after he retired from the military, Dr. Grimes attended a specialized graduate program at Texas
A&M and Tulane University where he was awarded a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Communications. Soon thereafter, he was recruited by the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois, Champaign where, at the dawn of the computer revolution, he became a pioneer in the development of computer-based education for veterinary students. When he retired from the University after seven years, he returned to the farm where he had spent his youth and set up a small animal practice. After seven years in his small animal practice, he retired again (for the third time) but continued to be a curious, lifelong learner. He honed his skills as a writer and wrote many short stories and poems reflecting his life experiences. Some of his stories and poems were published—but all are cherished by his children. He was a long-time member of Second Baptist Church in Memphis where he taught Sunday School. And, during his long life of service to others, he also found time to be a Christian veterinary missionary in Ouagadougou, Upper Volta (Africa) and Costa Rica (Central America). Dr. Grimes was a devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather. He was married for 59 years to Lillian (nee Griffin) Grimes, a graduate of Memphis State University, until she passed away in May 2008. He leaves this life most proud of his children: Richard Peyton Grimes, Green Cove Springs, FL, William Readus Grimes, Houston, TX, George Avery Grimes, Denver, CO, and M. Elizabeth Grimes DeVault, Palm City, FL and his four grandchildren: Christopher Byron Turnbull Grimes, Alexander Frederick Grimes, Avery Elizabeth DeVault, and Henry Mitchell DeVault. Following services at Poplar Grove United Methodist Church (built by his grandfather and re-built by his father) on Saturday April 22, Dr. Grimes will be laid to rest next to his father, mother, and wife in Poplar Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Poplar Grove United Methodist Church, 228 Quito Drummonds, TN 38023.