Al, one of four children, grew up a farm boy in Henry County, Missouri where he graduated from Sherwood High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in History at the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg. He was a member of the Steelworkers and United Auto Workers unions in the late 1960s. Al was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy for 23 years--deployed on a battleship, an aircraft carrier and an Aegis cruiser serving overseas in Guam, Japan, Italy and England. He also served in the White House for the U.S. Naval and NATO Atlantic Forces. A community servant as well, he was elected to two terms as Mayor of Urich, Missouri, co-founder of a nonprofit community betterment organization, Commander of the American Legion Post #371, and member of the Missouri 4th District Democrats.
Al is described as being honorable, passionate, loyal, loving and compassionate. He enjoyed spending time with his daughter and granddaughters, traveling all over the world, standing up for a purpose in politics, making friends, and supporting the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. Al was not only a loving father, son and brother . . . but a devoted Harry Truman Democrat who believed in the power of government to improve the lives of Americans.
Al is survived by a daughter, Michelle Grimes Martell and husband Eddie of Westlake, Louisiana; a son, Justin Grimes of Westlake, Louisiana; four grandchildren, Kaitlyn Trahan, Breanne Martell, Hunter Grimes and Nathaniel Grimes; and three brothers, Wayne “Red” Grimes, Jerry Grimes and Jim Grimes and wife Judy. He was preceded in death by his parents, William “Peanut” Ivan Grimes and Ruth Maxine Cox Grimes.
Military honors and memorial graveside services will be scheduled at a later date at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri under direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555), Butler. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.
With the restrictions on the number of people who can gather in one location, it's going to be difficult to bring our community together when a death occurs. Visitations and funerals are more than just ceremonies--they are avenues to bring family and friends together to support one another. If you know Al Grimes, a card or phone call to his family would go a long way in remembering him. If you don't have family addresses, feel free to mail notes or cards to us at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (1301 N. Orange St., Butler, MO 64730) and we will send to the family.