Doreen Grimes Ph.D.

SAN ANGELO Dr. Doreen Grimes, PhD, passed away Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, in Temple, Texas. She was 84. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, at Sierra Vista United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Stephen Sweet officiating. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery in Weatherford, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson's Funeral Home. Dr. Doreen Grimes, PhD, was born in 1927, in Weatherford, Texas, to her parents, Berta and Clarence Grimes. At a very early age, Dr. Grimes showed amazing talent in academics and music. She graduated from Weatherford High School and attended Southern Methodist University, receiving her bachelor of music in piano performance in 1949. The next year she received her master of music degree in piano performance from S.M.U. From 1950 to 1962, Dr. Grimes was the director of the "Grimes School of Music" based in Weatherford. This studio was unique in that Dr. Grimes established a traveling music studio, where she would teach children all over the North Texas area. In 1962, Dr. Grimes was appointed the chairman of the department of music theory at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M. She also began her work towards her doctorate in music theory at North Texas State University. She completed her PhD in music theory in 1966. In 1971, Dr. Grimes came to Angelo State University to establish the music degree there. She was instrumental it's development and served as head of the department for two years. She established the piano studio at ASU and then went on to establish the musicology department there, teaching music theory, composition, style and analysis, music literature, sight singing and private piano lessons. She remained at ASU for 29 years, until her retirement in 2000. Professionally, Dr. Grimes composed over 400 works for all media, including two symphonies, two operas, piano and organ compositions, chamber music and over 100 choral compositions. After her retirement in 2000, she took master gardening training and received her master gardener designation. She acted as a substitute organist at area churches. In 2006, Dr. Grimes trained for lay speaking in the United Methodist Church and served as a certified lay speaker in various churches in the area. Dr. Grimes passed away at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple as a result of complications from heart valve surgery. She passed from this world to the next knowing that her savior Jesus Christ had prepared a room for her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Berta (Keaton) and Clarence Grimes. Any memorials may be directed to the music program at Sierra Vista UMC. Dr. Grimes was an amazing woman that touched the lives of musicians all over the United States and the world. She was a great teacher, mentor and friend. Most of all, she was a child of God. Her greatest mission in the past five years was to deliver the good news of the grace of our dear lord and savior, Jesus. Family and friends may sign the online register book at johnsons-funeralhome.com.