DALLAS EDD GRIDER

December 5, 1944 - May 11, 2022

Dallas Edd Grider of Eufaula, Oklahoma, passed away on May 11, 2022 in Bakersfield, California.

Dallas was born in Eufaula, Oklahoma to Plas Dudge Grider and Audrey Grider on December 5, 1944. He attended schools in Eufaula up until Jr. High School. The family decided to move to California permanently when Dad was 13. He went to Arvin High School, and it is here that he met the love of his life, his life partner Mary Ruth Hitt. They married right out of high school on April 10, 1964, before he left for UCLA. You see Coach Prothro who recruited Dad had to recruit his wife also. They were a team.

My dad's successes both on and off the field were my mom's as well. They shared everything. Coach Prothro even got my mom her first job as a bank teller with Security Pacific Bank and we all know how that story goes. Dad has received many awards, many achievements in his lifetime, but the most rewarding to him was his kids, grandkids, and even a great-granddaughter. His most famous title was Papa's Taxicab Service.

Dallas was preceded in death by his father Arthur Plas Grider, his mother Audrey Grider, his brother Chuck Grider, and his grandson Benjamin Dallas Grider.

Dallas is survived by his wife Mary Grider of 58 years, his daughter Amber, his son Chad, brothers Robert (Julia), Leroy (Rose), Doug (Cindy) and Keith (Lynda), sisters Patricia, Hope (Wes), Kay (Tom) and Lisa (Jack), grandchildren Remington and Tannon, Montana, Ava, Gwen and Ren, and great-granddaughter Lainey Jean. Brothers-in-laws Don (Sandy) and Steve (Debbie) and numerous nieces and nephews that all loved him very much.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to my dad's favorite caregivers Arlene and Uncle Don. We love you. Also, a Big Thank You to North Bakersfield Dialysis and Adventist Health Palliative care nurse Aleece for your caring gentle words during the last week. To Dr. Baker, Thank you for being our lifelong Dr., and most importantly our family friend.

Dad spent a lot of time in the great outdoors fishing and packing his horses into the mountains, he had a special connection with nature. He not only taught his family how to appreciate the outdoors but impacted many others by showing them the true beauty of Mother Nature.

Funeral Services will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 27, 2022 at Valley Baptist Church, 5500 Olive Dr. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Funeral Home Northeast, 3700 River Blvd.

www.bakersfield.com/obits

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bakersfield Californian from May 22 to May 25, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Dallas Grider

Sponsored by Greenlawn Funeral Home Northeast.

14 Entries

Richard Tatum

July 4, 2025

I am late to the affair, but just recently heard of Mr. Grider's passing. I was a student of his at West High in Bakersfield. I was somewhat of a problem kid in those days, but Mr. Grider always treated me fairly...sometimes with stern warnings and always with solid advice. In the summer of 1977, he led a group of us students on a 120 mile backpack expidition up the east side of Mt. Whitney to the summit and on down the Upper Kern River Valley. I was somewhat adrift, and he encouraged me to consider the military. I took his advice and joined the U.S. Army which proved to be life changing. I have thought about Dallas from time to time over the years, and I will always be grateful for his presence in a rough time of my life. RIP Mr. Grider

Joel Blaine Kielkopf and former BC Rb #22 Derek Kielkopf Dere

July 24, 2023

I just found out that Coach Dallas Grider has passed away. I'm sorry very sorry to hear. My heart goes out to the Grider family.
I appreciate the opportunity that Coach Grider gave my son Derek who was BC starting running back in 2003. I still remember all the kind words he stated about my son when he was watching Derek's highlight film. He said, what color is your family I said, white Coach said noway there is no white kid that runs like that. I want this kid as my starting running back. How soon can you and your son get out here for a visit.
I can also say, Derek sends his heart felt response RIP Coach. Heaven called home a one of the good guy!

Cole Campbelle

July 7, 2023

My Condolences to the Family. From a Former Renegade Player!!!! All the way from the East Coast

Lyle Wyatt

November 18, 2022

I knew coach Grider when he was the assistant wrestling coach at West High in the early 70s. He was a solid guy.

Kristy Strauss

September 22, 2022

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Girder. I remember him as a child growing up at South high with my father coach Steve Strauss. I saw the news about the renaming of West High field. I´m so happy to see they gave Mr. Grider, The well-deserved praise and recognition he surely deserved. He was one of many coaches around the Kern high school district, from another competitive high school that I had the great benefit of knowing. The type of coach & mentor he was, along with Art Dalziel BHS, Ned Permitter Foothill & my Dad South, truly shaped my life and as you heard tonight at West; what a wonderful type of Coach he was. Mr. Grider would come say hello and watch some of my softball games over at West diamond in the sump. He alaways had a message or joke for my dad. Sometimes he even send a message of challenge for me to take back to my dad I just wanted to again say I´m sorry for the loss of Mr. Grider,

Peggy Balentine Weyant

May 31, 2022

Mary, I am so sorry for your loss. An old banker friend. Peggy

Becky Hawthorne

May 28, 2022

Mary & Family:
My prayers, hugs and thoughts are with you and your family as you pass through this time of grief. I knew Dallas from work at Bakersfield College and have very fond memories of his work with the Athletic department and the positive impact he made on students and staff.
So sorry for your loss.
Becky & Stephen Hawthorne

Arlene Monsibais

May 25, 2022

My deeply Condolences to the family. Dallas, a man who never gave up, who would give all his strength to keep going. A man who loved his family. In the short time I got to know him, he would always make me laugh with the things he would say as he fought to keep going. I will always remember the days that he would come home from dialysis and stop by Starbucks to bring Mary and I a drink. He will be missed greatly!

Linda (Young) Letourneau

May 24, 2022

My condolences and prayers to your beautiful family. I used to watch Amber when she was young for a bit and both Dallas and Mary were so nice. This family stood out to me for their wonderful values and their love that they shared for each other. May God comfort you during this time of loss.

Mark and Debra Strang

Planted Trees

Billy Stramler

May 23, 2022

Thanks coach

Patrick and Katrina Coday

Planted Trees

Anderson Bonnie

May 22, 2022

I am so sorry for the families loss My prayers to the family

Susan Mecham Kurtz

May 22, 2022

Sending my condolences to Mary and the Grider family. Dallas had such a tremendous impact on so many from the Arvin/Lamont/Bakersfield area. I had the opportunity to watch him play football at AHS and then to travel down to UCLA with Coach Damron, his wife and my high school boyfriend to again watch him. He established goals that so many strove to follow. It was always a special event for my husband, Steve, and
I to see Dallas and Mary. Rest In Peace.

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results