Russel Dale Grimes

Funeral services for Russell Dale Grimes will be held 10:30 am Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at the Western Heights Baptist Church with Rev. David Head officiating. Friends may share a memory with the family online at www.chapman-black.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home, Inc.

Dale was born June 28, 1935 in Osage, Oklahoma the son of John Walter and Erma Pearl (Johnston) Grimes. Dale attended school in Osage and later graduated Osage High School with the Class of 1953. During the time Dale was in school he worked at the local grocery store delivering groceries around town. After graduation Dale moved to Cushing for the summer and drove a grocery truck before moving to Tulsa. At that time Dale enrolled at the University of Tulsa attending night school and working for a local fiberglass company during the day. He then later accepted a position with Oklahoma Natural Gas as a meter reader. Dale was united in marriage to Johnye B. (Johnson) on May 14, 1955 in Osage, Oklahoma. They established their initial home in Tulsa and then later moved to Cleveland where they raised their two children Connie and Rick. During this time Dale finished his education at TU with an Associates Degree in Accounting and continuing his career with ONG. Mr. Grimes worked his way up from meter reader to a computer analyst before retiring in 1993 after 39 years with the company. Dale traveled all over the state installing computer software and trouble shooting problems on company mainframes.

Dale was an avid golfer. He was the former president of the Oklahoma Unit Airstream Club. During their travels they would always seek out the best golf courses in the area. They would frequently go to South Texas as well as Arizona during the winter months. Dale was a 32nd Degree Mason and member of the Hebron Lodge in Cleveland as well as the Scottish Rite in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is a former Deacon of the Western Heights Baptist Church, Sunday School and Training Union teacher. Dale received great enjoyment as a Volunteer for the Special Olympics in Stillwater, OK for many years. He would often share stories about the thrill that was brought about the participants face. Dale and Johnye traveled to the Mannford, Terlton, Jennings and Oilton Senior Citizens to sing country music. He was a active father coached Little League Baseball however most of all he cherished the time spent with his wife, children and grandchildren the most.

Dale went to be with his Lord and Saviour on Sunday evening March 23, 2008 at the Cleveland Manor Nursing Home at the age of 72.

Survivors are his loving wife of over 52 years Johnye of the home, daughter Connie Hunt and her husband Stan of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, son Rick Grimes of Vinita, Oklahoma, three sisters Clora May Anderson of Overland Park, Kansas, Ruth Casper of Bellflower, California, Dorothy Ditto of Cleveland, Oklahoma; three grandchildren Jason and Elizabeth Hunt of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Tyler Grimes of Cushing, Oklahoma as well as a host of other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Dale was preceded in death his three brothers Earl, Eugene and James Grimes and a sister Vera Jones.