Gary Melford Grimm

Gary Melford Grimm was born on April 28, 1953 in Orange County, California. His Heavenly Father called him home on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at the age of 69. (The secret is out, he never liked to disclose his middle name).

His faith in his Savior, Yeshua the Messiah, was very evident throughout his life. He accepted Yeshua (Jesus) as his Savior at the young age of 4 years old. As an adult, he came to understand the importance of obediently walking in Spirit and Truth. He was devoted to serving God all of his life.

Gary loved people and loved to serve others. He considered himself a minister of reconciliation due to the Lord’s commission to make disciples out of all nations. For those that knew him, their lives were made better for having known him. Presenting with a calm and sometimes serious demeanor, he had a surprising way of making people laugh. In fact, people constantly said how funny he was, and how much they enjoyed being with him. He will be missed by so many that loved him.

A lover of history and a great storyteller, Gary was always interested in visiting historically significant locations and spent much of his professional career as a teacher. He found his love of teaching at Dunnellon Christian Academy where he taught middle school history and coached sports. After obtaining his master’s degree in history later in life, Gary taught college students for many years. He continued to teach until his Heavenly Father called him home.

Gary enjoyed sports as an avid fan of Los Angeles teams: the Lakers, Dodgers, and Rams. He loved traveling, ultimately calling numerous places home and traveling cross-country multiple times. Lover of good Mexican food, pizza, ice cream, and a great burger, Gary always found and shared fellowship around a dinner table.

Gary was born into a large family, both related and spiritual. He is survived by his wife of 32 years Ginger Grimm; his daughter, Rhiannon Coxon, spouse Matt Coxon, and grandson Jude Asher Coxon; mother Thelma Grimm; sister and brother-in law Sheri and Bill Watson; sister-in law Rosann Grimm; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and nieces.

A memorial service will be held at Jacob’s Tent, the congregation Gary attended with his wife Ginger. For those interested in giving towards the memory of Gary’s life, we hope that you plant a tree in his memory or give financially to the Jacob’s Tent benevolence fund. Jacob’s Tent, P.O. Box 3904, Cleveland, TN 37312.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Gary or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Athens and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.