Obituary: Jack Downing Grim

Sep. 15, 1923 - June 30, 2013

Jack D. Grim, 89, died peacefully Sunday, June 30, 2013 at Carson-Tahoe Hospital with his family surrounding him. Jack was born in Wellington, Kansas to Burton Oscar and Anna Virginia Bruton Grim. He graduated from Wellington High School, where he was a four-year athlete in football and track. He graduated from Pittsburg State Teachers College (now Pittsburg State University) where he played football for the Gorillas until an injury ended his football career. He served four years in the US Navy as a Corpsman during World War II with 22 months in the Pacific. Jack married Emma Jeanne (Jeanne) Diggs on July 7, 1946. He worked for the railroad and later taught school and coached at Claflin High School, Larned High School and Hays High School, all in Kansas. Jack moved his family to Minden, Nevada in 1963, where he served as the Douglas County High School (DCHS) Librarian until his retirement in 1986. While there, he coached junior varsity football, freshmen basketball and varsity baseball and golf. He positively influenced many young men and women at DCHS. Jack and Jeanne moved to Carson City in 1977 where they spent many happy years traveling in their motor home.

Jack was a Christian, attending church from an early age, taking his family to church and singing in the choir. He taught Sunday School classes and led the congregation in singing. Jack was an avid sportsmen - hunting, fishing, golfing and watching all sports on television. He loved to whistle and sing as he worked and was quite the craftsman making wooden toys and gifts - Jack could fix anything. He was known for his great sense of humor and generous, kind and appreciative spirit. Jack endured many health issues over the past year, but spent the last four months happily at Sierra Place with wonderful care givers, his big screen television and lots of ice cream. Jack loved spending time with his family and friends.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and older brothers, Frank (Nick) and Paul Grim. He leaves behind his wife of 66 years, Jeanne of Carson City; son, Michael (Pam) of Gardnerville; daughter, Shelle (Clarence) Grim-Brooks of Reno; grandsons, Joshua (Ivonne) of Carson City, Justin (Kelley) of Las Vegas, and Johan Hill of San Diego; granddaughter, Jennifer (Mark) Marshall of Stagecoach; great grandchildren, Sarah, Elizabeth, Caleb, Angel and Natali; and dear friend and neighbor, Marguerite Wavra.

A memorial service for Jack will be held on Friday, July 5 at 10 a. m. at Walton’s Chapel of the Valley, 1281 North Roop Street, Carson City, Nevada. Memorial donations can be made in Jack’s memory to Honor Flight Nevada, Inc., P. O. Box 21123, Reno, NV 89515.