Richard Grimshaw

Richard William Grimshaw

Washingon, Utah

Richard William Grimshaw passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2014, just a few weeks shy of his 70th birthday. Richard demonstrated courage and perseverance throughout his life, and faced significant health challenges with patience and faith. Even after suffering a traumatic brain injury in June of 2013, he continued to bless many lives with his example of persistence and his calm and positive demeanor. Richard was surrounded in his last hours by loving family and friends who said goodbye with words, prayers, and music.

Richard was born January 29, 1944, to George D and Elizabeth Smith Grimshaw of Enoch, Utah. He was industrious, adventurous, and creative. As a young man he enjoyed fixing cars, drag racing, and hunting with his dad and brothers, and later developed a love for literature and a talent for watercolor painting. He graduated from Cedar High School in 1962, served an LDS mission in Southern California, and completed his degree in elementary education at CSU (now SUU), later earning a Masters degree from Utah State University. He loved teaching, and taught third grade for 28 years-two in Enterprise and the remainder at East Elementary in St. George. He spent his retirement in continual service to others, including countless hours as an ordinance worker in the St. George LDS Temple and at the computer doing genealogical research.

Richard married his longtime sweetheart, Charlotte Carter, in 1967. Their relationship was the epitome of love and unfailing devotion. They eventually established their home in Washington, Utah. They raised five children, with whom he read poetry, co-authored picture books, coached little league teams, went home-teaching, hauled musical equipment for concerts, troubleshot cars, discussed theology, and completed outlandishly elaborate school projects. In later years he loved visiting his children and grandchildren in Utah County, Pennsylvania, and California.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Robert and Kent, father-in-law S Neal Carter, and brother-in-law Michael Carter. He is survived by his wife of 47 years; his children, Jeff (Tanya), Greg (Elizabeth), Jeremy (Kristen), Michelle Robinson (Greg), Kristen VanOrman (Jonathan), and nine grandchildren: Tate, Owen, Anna, Meg, Grady, William, Noah, Roscoe, and Milo; sisters Clara Mae Hatch (Oleen) and DeAnne Stubbs (Clarence); brothers Arlen (Cathy), Steven (Carla), David (Colleen), and Alan; his mother-in-law, Rea Carter; sister-in-law Linda Carter; brothers-in-law Boyd Carter (Suzy) and J.R. Carter (Denise); and a wide circle of beloved relatives and friends.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, January 11, at 11:00am at the Washington 1st Ward LDS Chapel, 82 N. Main St., Washington. Viewings will be held at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George on Friday, January 10, from 6 to 8pm; and at the chapel in Washington on Saturday from 9am to 10:30am. Burial will be in the Cedar City cemetery.

The family would like to publicly thank the CNAs, nurses, and therapists at Red Cliffs Health and Rehabilitation for their kind care during the past 5 months. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michael K. Carter Memorial Scholarship Fund at SUU, or the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund. Services under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary.