John Andor Grimstad Sr.

1944 - 2015

John Andor Grimstad Sr. November 20, 1944 - December 23, 2015 Solana Beach John Andor Grimstad Sr., of Solana Beach, died in his home surrounded by family on December 23, 2015. John was a dedicated family man, visionary, successful developer and connoisseur of life. He is survived by his wife, Beverley; their five children, Teri Cassiano, John Grimstad Jr., Kerry Smith, Tracy Jensen and DeAnn Short; along with their 13 grandchildren. John was born November 20, 1944, in San Pedro, CA. John's father immigrated to America at the age of 14 from Norway, where life was troubled and food was scarce. His father worked a long career as a boat captain and was in a handful of western movies. It was examples like this, of courage and big dreams, that would weave the intricate fabric of John's character. John served in the 82nd Airborne, as a well respected soldier, he earned special duties such as representing the Army in international surf contests. After his enlistment, he attended the Colorado School of Mines and eventually dug multiple oil wells, only to come up dry. It was this go for broke mindset that separated John from the pack. "Gamble only what you're willing to lose," he would say. To John, sometimes that meant everything. More than once he did lose everything, but with grit, resilience, and the love of his family, he always came back stronger than before.John was a man of incredible drive and fierce determination. Whatever he set his mind to received all that he had to give. You will find no greater example of this than the pursuit and lifelong love to his bride, Beverley. She was the defining relationship in his life, in which all purpose was rooted, and from which all life was conceived and blossomed.Together they built, in his words, "A storybook life', that included amazing thrills from transpacific sailboat races, epic ski trips and world travel, to landing his pontoon plane on Lake Tahoe. For John's family, adventure and the anticipation of the unknown was always part of the equation. The only trait to rival John's immense work ethic was his insatiable play ethic. His laughter often turned uncontrollable, leading to a bright red face and tears of joy running down his cheeks. His presence was unmistakable. He was the tone-setter of his time.Known as "John John" to his grandchildren, he spent many days dedicated solely to building memories with them. His 1929 Ford Model A pickup nicknamed "Tut Tut," was a common escape vehicle to take grandkids to get ice-cream. No dessert run was complete without some reminiscing and comments on how "scoops used to be a nickel" or of his offers to gladly "clean up" a child's melting ice cream cone. Another signature move of John's was the sight of him standing with the refrigerator door open chugging milk straight from the cartoon, regardless of who's house he was in. This was even more funny knowing that dairy always gave him indigestion. Just another example that showed John lived according to his terms.John picked up every meal check at his table and followed it by crumbling every receipt like a dirty napkin. His generosity was unsurpassed and the lives he touched innumerable. When John decided to treat you, it was above and beyond all expectations. He was a man of passion and precision, form and function. He had a remarkable mind that was always working; he would often wake up in the middle of the night with solutions to long drawn out problems. Ideas oozed from him and were a part of his daily conversations. He could discuss at length the finest of details, from timber framing connectors to what made the world's best chicken pot pie crust. His eye for style permeated every gift, every design, and every project he was a part of. His fingertips imprinted quality. Yet somehow, this same man would take you to the finest restaurants wearing sweatpants and a frayed white t-shirt. He had nothing to prove, he had done it all. He owned every second that this world could give, and he has taken a piece of our hearts that cannot be replaced. He was larger than life, and his legacy exponentially more. John we will remember you for more than what you did, we will remember you for who you were. You were our patriarch, our pillar, a loyal husband, our father, our John John, our friend. You were the bow of the ship, cutting a path for generations to follow. You will be forever missed, but also forever found in us. The things you taught, the examples you showed, the knowledge you imparted, and the love you gave, will shine on in honor of you, forever. Goodbye John, we love you. John's ceremonial service is being held at Self-Realization Fellowship in Encinitas, January 16, 2016, at 2pm. Please sign the guest book online at legacy.com/obituaries/ delmartimes .