He had a long and varied work history starting when he learned to drive a tractor as a child, helping his father on the family farm. During his 4 years in the U.S. Navy, he served aboard the USS Navasota in the Pacific and participated in one of the Hydrogen Bomb tests over Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. He was hired by the U.S. Post Office in 1962 as a city letter carrier. He started his own successful tree trimming business with the motto “We go out on a limb for you.” Following his retirement from the U.S. Postal Service after 35 years, he drove a school bus until he was employed by Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in 2006. After 11 years, he retired permanently to his ranch “R5 Rimes Ranch” to raise Charlois cattle.
He was a “joiner” being a Mason for 50 years and a Shriner for 41 years. He rode with the Karem Temple Racers. He was a member of the Killeen Auxiliary Police Department; President of Chapter 4217 of the National Association of Letter Carriers; President of the local chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and Vice President of Germania Insurance. He coached the 10-12 year old girls summer softball team for 3 years.
As a 40 year member of the First United Methodist Church of Killeen he was a quiet, humble and faithful Christian. Always wanting to be early for services every Sunday to have time to “hob nob” with his fellow worshippers and looked forward to starting his week off sharing breakfast with his “breakfast bunch.”
He liked to hunt, going to Colorado to hunt elk and twice to Alaska to fish. He hosted dove hunting parties on his ranch and looked forward to deer season each year.
He barbecued “The Best” brisket ever. He liked his cattle; watching TV westerns and game shows; taking lots of pictures; eating and socializing. He thought you could never have too many farm gates; tractors and trailers; ball point pens; leather work gloves; pocket knives and retractable tape measures. He collected belt buckles; hats of every variety and crazy socks.
He was friendly, loved to tell stories and never met a stranger. He was always willing to lend a hand to someone in need. He was a “character”, just a “good old country boy”. He was a good husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend. He was patient, kind, forgiving, dependable and good natured. He “coped” with daunting health challenges these last years without complaint and when asked how he was doing, he would reply, with a smile, “Pretty good for an old man.” He never expected to live so long and was proud he had never been hospitalized.
He died April 13, 2020 with his family by his side, one month and three days before his 84th birthday. He was preceded in death by his son, Steven Joe Rimes; his grandson Thomas Justin Fajkus; one sister and two brothers. He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Judith Ann Rimes; sons David Wayne Rimes and Mark Allen Rimes (Angel); daughters Anne Elizabeth Fajkus (Wayne) and Jennifer Michelle Rimes; grandchildren Tamara Jean Gayton (Adam) and Cody Reno Rimes; great-granddaughter Stevie Grace Gayton; 4 brothers and 3 sisters.
Our love for him will remain our hearts forever.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Killeen building fund.
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