He was the sole surviving son of the late James Davis (Jim) and Grace Hux Grimmett, pioneer Navarro County farmers who lived a full life, most of which was in the Barry community. Richard was one of their five sons. There were three daughters born of this union; however, a sister, Winnie Fred, died two days after her birth in August of 1931. His brothers, Alfred M. (Bill), Eugene, Jimmy and Henry and sister, Mrs. Helen Sanders preceded him death. He is survived by his oldest sister, Mrs. Letha Grimmett Tanner of San Antonio.
Richard was the fourth son. He was a very proud person. Proud of his heritage; proud of his community. He excelled in classroom studies. Richard was active in sports and literary functions, not only in high school but also at Navarro College. He served as the first editor of his high school newspaper, which was his first love, and was active in journalism at the college level.
After Navarro College, he joined the staff at the Corsicana Daily Sun learning first-hand the importance of news writing, accuracy in reporting and gathering all the news of the area. He later became a public information officer for several key state agencies where he developed professional friendships with State leaders. He was among the youngest managing editors of a Texas daily newspaper; in 1965 he directed the Hillsboro Daily Mirror.
He married the former Miss Evelyn Marie Fogg of Corsicana on February 21, 1959 and together are parents of three children, Mrs. Carla Marie Webb and Lonnie of Newark, DE., Joel Davis Grimmett and Dion and Ms. Susan Rae Griffin, both of Austin. There are three grandchildren; Deanna Marie Webb of Newark, DE., and Joel Ramone and Remi Maxine Griffin of Austin, Texas.
He was active in his church; served as a Lay Leader, a Sunday School teacher, chaired the pastor-parish commission at his Methodist church and was the first editor of the church’s newspaper. He edited the National Guard Association’s newsletter and the State police quarterly publication during the 1970s.
Richard took the opportunity to make friends whenever he could.
A funeral service will be held in the Memorial Chapel of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North Interstate 35 in Pflugerville, Texas on Friday, June 15, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. with the committal service immediately following at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery.
