John Markle Grimshaw

John Markle Grimshaw, passed away on November 3, 2025 from complications of Marfan Syndrome. John was the son of the late Judge John Grimshaw and Jane Markle of Paterson NJ.

He attended Kentucky Military Institute in Louisville, KY for his high school education and was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point where he graduated in 1962.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Military Art from USMA he graduated from Field Artillery and Ranger schools. John would later continue his higher education by earning a MS in Operations Research from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1970, and the equivalent of a Master's Degree in National Strategy from the National War College in 1983.

In January 1964, John was stationed in Bamberg, West Germany where he met Mary Elise (Mimi) Cowan, of La Grange, TN, who was a Department of Defense elementary school teacher. John and Mimi were married in Bamberg on January 8, 1966 before John left in May for Vietnam. John's twenty-three-year career as an Army officer included two combat tours in Vietnam as well as many other posts across the U.S. and Europe. During his service he attained the rank of Colonel and was awarded numerous medals to include a Bronze Star of Valor during his first tour in Vietnam.

After retiring from the military in 1985, John joined CACI, an information technology company located in northern VA. John worked at CACI for 20 years before retiring as an Executive Vice President and moving with Mimi to Wilmington, NC.

John was devoted to his family and was a man of great faith and integrity. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and spending time with family and friends. Upon moving to Wilmington John became an avid fan of UNCW basketball while remaining a lifelong NY Yankees fan.

He leaves behind his wife, Mimi, his daughters Cathy Caldwell (Tom) and Amy Guerriero (John) and grandchildren, T.J. Caldwell and Hannah Caldwell.

A funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Hampstead, NC. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to honor John be made to:

The Marfan Foundation; Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of Hampstead; or charity of your choice.

On line condolences may be sent www.wilmingtoncares.com.

Wilmington Funeral and Cremation, 1535 South 41st Street Wilmington, NC, 28403, 910-791-9099.