Posted on 11/17/2018
Commander Harold John Grimes, USN, passed October 23, 2018 in Falls Church at age 97. He was born April 3, 1921 in Bloomsburg, PA to Marvin and Laura Edith. He is survived by sons, David and Peter (Peggy Sampson); daughters, Forest (Bruce) Juntti and Emily Sauls (Danny, deceased, Mark); grandchildren Jay, Carly, Daniel; and great grandchild Cayden. Harold is preceded in death by his wives, Mary Jane Edwards and Elizabeth Herman Hand; parents and two brothers William and Donald. As a young man, he was appointed to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, class of 1944 graduating in 1943. Commissioned into the Navy to battleship BB-33 Arkansas and directed fire support for the D-Day invasion at Normandy. He next earned his wings as a USN pilot of seaplanes. Notable tours included Berlin, Germany and the 7th fleet flagship USS St Paul (CA-73) based in Yokusuka, Japan. Military retirement in 1965, he went on to work at CIA. Marrying his first wife in 1949, they welcomed their four children. After the loss of Mary Jane, Harold married his second wife, Elizabeth in 1973 with two children Susan and Robert by prior marriage. They enjoyed retirement in Sarasota, FL and a cherished cottage during summers in Islesboro, ME before returning to North Arlington. An avid Navy and Redskins football fan, he was proud of learning New England style construction in Bath, ME and enjoyed a second career of customer support jobs, including Brown's Hardware. Harold frequented churches in McLean Methodist, Sarasota, the Falls Church Episcopal, and later, the Falls Church Anglican. He will be missed by all for his pleasant demeanor and ready smile. A memorial service will be held at Murphy Funeral Home, Falls Church on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 3 p.m. He will be interred along with Elizabeth at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.A memorial service will be held at Murphy Funeral Home, Falls Church on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 3 p.m. He will be interred along with Elizabeth at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Murphy Funeral Homes
1102 West Broad Street
Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 533-0341
Published in The Washington Post on Nov. 11, 2018