Thomas Robert “Bob” Grimes
July 13, 1933 – May 3, 2023
WENDELL – Thomas Robert “Bob” Grimes, 89, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. He was born at his homeplace on Cook Street in Wendell, North Carolina to the late Thomas Leamon and Appie Etta (Christman) Grimes on July 13, 1933. He was joined by sister Pattie Sue “Pat” in 1934 and together they would grow up in Wendell where he graduated from Wendell High School in 1951, attended King’s Business College in Raleigh and went on to graduate from UNC Chapel Hill in 1959 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
Bob faithfully served our country for over nine years. He joined the US Army Reserves in 1952, served as Corporal in the US Army for two years, and continued in the US Army Reserves until 1961. After his graduation from UNC, Bob worked with the State of North Carolina Department of Revenue. He later went on to become a Field Agent for the Internal Revenue Service, but he only had to go as far as Raleigh to meet his wife of 57 years, Gaynelle “Gay” Branton Grimes. They married in 1965 and lived in Wendell to raise a family, welcoming sons Branton in 1969 and Marcus in 1974, and where he started and operated his own CPA accounting practice, Grimes CPA, in 1974, eventually becoming Grimes & Williams CPA, until his retirement.
Beyond dedication to his family, Bob devoted time living his faith through service to several organizations including the Wendell Lions Club where he served as President for one year, the American Legion – Post 148, the Wendell Christian Church, the Wendell Baptist Church, the Wendell Historical Society, the Salvation Army and the preservation of the historic Spring Green Primitive Baptist Church for which he served as Treasurer for 42 years.
Bob is survived by his wife, Gaynelle “Gay” Branton Grimes; sons Branton, his wife Amy, and Marcus, his wife Christina; grandchildren Jacob, Ava and Megan; and his sister Pat Cantey.
Funeral Service will take place 2:00pm, Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Wendell Baptist Church, 3651 Wendell Blvd, Wendell. Interment will follow at Greenmount Cemetery, 536 W. Academy St., Wendell. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 1:00pm – 2:00pm.
For memorial contributions in lieu of flowers, the Grimes family prefers them to be made to your local Salvation Army, the Wendell Baptist Church or to the Gideons International.
Arrangements are entrusted to Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, 211 W. Third St., Wendell, NC 27591.
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Dearest Gay, Branton, Marc and Grimes family. I’m so very sorry for the loss of Bob… for you, for me and all that knew and loved him. For 18 years, I have had the pleasure of knowing this dear man, Bob. Sharing in his Bible knowledge, his concern for the direction of our country, but most of all the joys and sorrows of daily living that we shared as friends. He loved you all so much and I am glad that I had the opportunity to hear that often. I will miss the way he shut the door on his visits to the office, to quiz me on what’s new?…I knew who it was before I ever saw him. I respected him so much and because of our talks, I have peace and a strong hope of knowing him again on the other side. Prayers for comfort on you all in the days moving forward in his absence. He will most definitely be missed.
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