Alan Smith Grimshaw

Alan Smith Grimshaw, 75, returned home on November 26, 2025, in Cedar City, Utah-the same place where his remarkable life began on October 26, 1950. Born to George and Elizabeth Grimshaw, Alan was the youngest of nine children and arrived so many years after the rest that his brothers and sisters jokingly became his "extra mommies and daddies." Raised on the family farm in Enoch-known lovingly as "Grimshaw-ville"-he grew up surrounded by music, work, laughter, and the kind of family affection that shaped him for life.
He attended Cedar High School, where he met his lifelong friend Lance Whetten. The two formed a band in their teenage years and reunited as adults to create the well-known Southern Utah band The Clique, a group still remembered with fondness.
Alan studied child development at SUSC (now SUU), and during those years he met Dawna Denise "Deedy" Sheppard. They married and welcomed a son, Alan Oliver, who passed away shortly after birth. With deep courage they moved forward and raised three more children: Tami, Teresa, and Rob.
Alan worked on a drilling company before moving to Las Vegas, where he served as a foreman painter at both the Union Plaza and Hard Rock Hotel. Whatever the job, he brought integrity, humor, and a willingness to jump in with both feet.
But music was the language of Alan's soul. Gifted from childhood, he played guitar, piano, and harmonica, yet his voice-often compared to Don Henley-was the gift that left the deepest imprint. He performed with numerous groups including The Clique, The Refugees, Crossfire, the Choral Artists of Southern Nevada, and Gladys Knight's Saints Unified Voices, and he even appeared on American Idol. His harmonies, his tone, and the emotion he poured into a song made every performance memorable.
Life brought sorrow as well as joy. When his youngest son Rob passed away at age 30, Alan's grief was profound. Music helped him heal, and he stepped into the loving role of father-figure for his granddaughters. Later, when their mother remarried, Alan welcomed her new husband as family without hesitation. His heart was big enough for everyone.
Alan adored his six grandchildren-Kayla, Alyssa, Vance, Preston, Joslyn, and Savannah-and his five great-grandchildren, each of whom brought light to his later years. His laugh filled a room, his smile softened hearts, and his music touched souls.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Deedy, his sons Alan Oliver and Robert Alan, and brothers Robert, Kent, and Richard.
Alan is survived by his daughters Tami and Teresa (Mark), daughter-in-law Amber, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his extended Grimshaw family-and, astonishingly, Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, who somehow outlives us all.
Alan lived with heart, humor, and harmony. His absence leaves a silence only his music could fill.
Memorial Services will be announced at a later time. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alan, please visit our floral store.