Ronald Albert Grimm

1932 - 2014

Ronald Albert Grimm
Evansville, Ind.
Ronald Albert Grimm, 81, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home on November 13, 2014. Ron was born on November 27, 1932, in Evansville, Indiana, to the late Iona Moye Tucker and Earl John Grimm.
Ron had a great love for Evansville and his numerous friends. He graduated from Bosse High School in 1950. Ron knew at a young age that he would follow in his grandfather and father's footsteps in managing Grimm Lumber Inc. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Michigan State University in 1954, with a B.S. Degree in Light Construction and Lumber Merchandising. While at Michigan State he was a member of Delta Chi Fraternity and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. He also graduated from the Purdue Lumber Merchandising School and the National Kitchen and Bath Training School.
Ron was a First Lieutenant with the Ordnance Corps, Department of the Army in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the Company Supply Officer and Registrar of the Ordnance Automotive School. While living in Atlanta he met the love of his life, Tessie (Tess) Coussoulos, a flight attendant with Eastern Airlines. They married in September 1956, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Newport News, Virginia. Ronald will be deeply missed by his three children, Karen Ward, (Matthew), of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Robert Alan Grimm, (Linda), of Yorba Linda, California, and Jennifer Grimm Parker, (Andy), of Greenwood, Indiana. Remembering G.R. (as he was affectionately called by his grandchildren) include John David Frizzell (Emily), of Cordova, Tennessee, Jessica Frizzell, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Taylor D'Arlon and Erica Grimm, of Yorba Linda, California, Andrew Parker, of Sioux City, Iowa, Katie, Alex, Max and Hope Parker, of Greenwood, Indiana; cousin, Carolyn Cline, of South Haven Miss.; and niece, Leslie Grimm Ceery, of Carbondale, Colo.
During his professional career, Ron, was president and Manager of Grimm Lumber, Inc., president of Grimm & Associates, a management consulting company, as well as Co-Owner of Leadership Resource Center.
His community involvement included serving as president of Indiana Lumber and Builders Supply Association and President of both the Vanderburgh County and Southern Indiana Lung Associations. Ron was on the board of Wholesale Building Products in Nashville, Tennessee, the Kitchen and Bath Association of Indiana and The American Society for Training and Development. He served as an advisory member for the Building Material Sales Curriculum of Vincennes University, Vincennes, Ind. Even before his wife was the Executive Director, Ron was the volunteer extraordinaire at the Reitz Home Museum. He embraced his role as a trustee of the Reitz Home Preservation Society, the chairman of the Construction Action Committee and the renovation chairman of the Reitz Carriage House Stable Room in 1986. St. Paul's Episcopal Church was a very important part of his life. He faithfully served on the vestry, the Chair of Memorials & Gifts Committee and the Building and Grounds Committee. He was a Sunday school teacher at both St. Paul's and Zion United Church of Christ. Ron was also an active member of the Rotary Club of Evansville.
Ron was well known for his tenacity and skill in playing card games. Gin Rummy was his specialty and he was masterful at winning...all the way to the very end. He delighted in spending time with his children and grandchildren.
His life long buddies, which included his boating, bowling, dinner and dancing groups, tennis, bridge and poker friends brought him much enjoyment and laughter over the years as well. Ron took great pride in working on house and garden projects but his love for his wife, his family and his friends will always define him. He will forever be remembered for his outstanding character, his sense of humor, his generosity of spirit and his joy for life. His legacy of triumph over difficulties and his love and faith in the Lord will remain embedded in our hearts.
Other family members preceding him are grandparents, Albert C. and Anna Weil Grimm, Enoch and Faye Moye. Also, Great Aunt Mayme Weil, Aunt Esther and Ted Cotton; brother, Jerry Grimm.
The family wishes to thank all the Evansville doctors since 1990 for their passionate care of Ron, especially Dr. Stewart Smith. Deep gratitude is extended to all the caregivers at Senior Helpers including a special thank you to Sarah Jost for her extra care and compassion for Ron. Sonja Williams with Heritage Hospice was also an angel in helping Ron in his last days.
Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday November 16, 2014, at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 S. Hebron Ave., Evansville, IN 47714.
Funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 301 SE First St., Evansville, IN 47713, with Fr. Richard Godbold officiating.
Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 301 Southeast First Street, Evansville, IN 47713, the Reitz Home Museum, P. O. Box 1322, Evansville, IN 47706-1322 or to a favorite Evansville charity.
Condolences may be made online at www.ziemerfuneralhome.com.