James "Jim" Grimes

Beloved Husband, father and grandfather, James (Jim) Edwin Grimes entered fully into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on April 29, 2024. He was 85 years of age.

Jim was the youngest of 8 children born to Paul and Florence (Shepard) Grimes in Cashmere, WA on August 25, 1938. He attended school in Cashmere through 7th grade. His family then moved to Whitstran, WA where he attended 8th grade and he then went to school in Prosser, WA where he graduated from Prosser High School in 1956.

Jim entered the Air Force in 1956 with basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He served at Larson Air Force Base in Moses Lake, WA from 1956-1959 and also in Tachikawa, Japan from early 1959-1960 as an Air Police guarding fighter jets.

Jim attended Welding School at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA in the fall of 1960. He joined the Union, Iron Workers Local 14, and worked at various projects around the northwest throughout his welding career.  Hanford (100N and FFTF), Grand Coulee Dam ( 3rd powerhouse), and all four Snake River Dams, Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite. He spent the last 21 years of his welding career at Lampson International in Kennewick, WA, built some of the world's largest cranes, and was the shop foreman before his retirement in 2002. During his years at Lampson he also taught night welding classes at CBC for a few years. 

Jim met Norma Jean (Jeannie) Harsh during high school. After Jim returned from the service they dated and were married on June 11, 1961 at the Central Christian Church in Prosser, WA. Jim and Jeannie have lived in Grandview WA for over 61 years.  They attend Sunnyside Grace Brethren Church.

After retirement, Jim and Jeannie enjoyed many years of Square dancing with the Lower Valley Square Dance Club and made lasting friendships there. Jim also enjoyed oil painting classes and painted many pictures for their home and as gifts.

Jim is survived by his wife of 63 years, Norma Jean (Jeannie) Harsh Grimes, Grandview, WA.; their three children Jeff Grimes of Grandview, WA, Janae (Fred) Lamb of Corvallis, MT,  and Julie (Bill) Michener of Grandview, WA.; 12 grandchildren: Larelle Michener, Jase (Claire) Michener, Brian (Grace) Michener, Darby Grimes, Megan Lamb, Nicholas Lamb, Sarah Lamb, Andrew Michener, Kalley Michener, Luke Michener, Lindsey Michener, Levi Michener, and Nate Michener.; and 8 great-grandchildren: Audrey, Josie, Leah, Elise, Kate (parents Jase and Claire Michener), Dalton, Jack, George, (parents Brian and Grace Michener). 
Jim is also survived by his brother Carl Grimes of Prosser, WA. and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Florence Grimes as well as siblings Gene, Bette, Bob, Melvin, Tom, and Kathy.

Jim was a man of great integrity, kindness and generosity. He loved his Lord Jesus and we have great peace knowing he is now with Him in glory.  Jim will be remembered and greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.

Viewing and visitation will be held Friday, May 10, 2024 from  3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA.  Graveside Service with Military Honors will be Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the East Prosser Cemetery, Prosser, WA. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at the Sunnyside Grace Brethren Church, Sunnyside, WA at 11:30 a.m. followed by a luncheon. Those wishing to honor Jim's memory may contribute to Life Options, 301 Division Street, Grandview, WA 98930, www.life-options.org  Those wishing to sign Jim’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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