John Bernard Grimes

John Bernard Grimes, age 68 of Herron, Michigan, died Friday, August 14, 2020 at his hospice home in Alpena, Michigan. He was born September 27, 1951 in Detroit, son of the late Bruce Franklin and Ursula Marie (nee: Dowling) Grimes.

As John grew in stature and made his way through the public school system, the family would ultimately make their new home in the suburban setting of East Detroit. That is where John attended high school and proudly graduated as part of East Detroit High School's Class of 1971. With our country entrenched in the effects of war, John felt compelled to join the fray and do his part in support of his fellow countrymen. 

So it is, with thanks and praise from a grateful nation, that we pay homage to John for his service to our country during the Vietnam War era. A proud patriot of our great U.S. Army, John served from January 1972 thru January 1975.  His duty assignment was that of a military police officer where he ultimately attained the rank of Specialist 4th Class. Recognized as an expert marksman & sharpshooter with a 45 caliber pistol,…this police officer knew how to maintain order. And so he did for just under 3 years until finally receiving his honorable discharge at Ft. Dix, New Jersey. For the sacrifices made and his willingness to stand in harm’s way for our country, we honor John’s service and extend our posthumous gratitude for the role he held in carrying out his duties with esteemed valor. 

Equipped with a hefty dose of law enforcement from his army experience, it only made sense that being a police officer is what John was meant to do. It wasn’t long following his discharge from the Army that John was able to secure a position as a police officer with the Department of Defense at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, Michigan. He served in that capacity until 1981, at which time he was accepted as a candidate for the police force at the city of Warren. Serving initially as a patrolman, the year 1988 would find John being elevated to the position of Evidence Technician. All told, John enjoyed 19 years on the force until his retirement in 2000.

Although he was retired, the desire to work still purged through his veins and he soon found himself strolling the halls of St. John Macomb Hospital in Warren as part of their security team. Yet for as happy as he was to be employed, the challenge just wasn’t there. So off he went, post-retirement, in search of something more suited to his strengths,…which landed him a job with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, a position he held from 2002 until his 2nd retirement in 2014. From his days in the military to those in Oakland County, John was extremely proud and honored to be of service in each aspect of law enforcement he was involved. More than the badge he wore, his badge of honor was in the 4200 plus pedophiles he was instrumental in apprehending throughout his years on the force.

Considering the intensity of his work, his time off was immensely important and he had a number of outlets to help him unwind and regroup. Being the outdoorsman he was, John loved both fishing and camping,…and at times, he managed to incorporate both. Getting back to nature was one of John’s preferred pastimes, especially when he was casting his line at a favorite fishing hole. And nothing beats the warmth and camaraderie of sharing a campfire with family and friends as well.

When the outdoors wasn’t the mode of entertainment, you might have often found him enjoying a sunny day on the links in search of that elusive Hole-in-One, or sharing in the fun with family or friends down at the local bowling alley.

Yet for as active as John was both at work and at play, perhaps his most riveting pastime & hobby was being immersed in Civil War history. To refer to John as a Civil War Buff would have been a tremendous understatement as it was so much more than merely filing his head with knowledge,…in his mind, each mention, conversation and book he read found him swept back in time to an era that changed America forever. It was a place he visited often and could never get enough.

As for John’s “Happy Place,”…that was definitely found at his retirement home in Alpena. After spending the lion’s share of his life down in the concrete jungle, his move northward to the more laid back, easy-going lifestyle was the best medicine for happiness and serenity. It didn’t take long to make new friends and cozy up to the neighbors,…neighbors who had soon become like family to John & Rita. John worked long and hard to earn his slice of nirvana, and he certainly made the most of it.

Beloved husband of Rita. John was also the loving father of his namesake & son, John (Becca) Grimes. Dear brother of Bruce Grimes, Jim (Maryan) Grimes, and Barbara Grimes. Uncle of Leslie (Phil) Phelan, and the late Jimmy (Courtney) Grimes. He is also survived by many other loving family members and friends.

Visitation for John will be held Sunday, August 23rd from 3-9 pm, with a 7 pm Scripture Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Rd) in Warren.

He will lie in state on Monday, August 24th from 10:30 am until time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Anne Catholic Church, 32000 Mound Road in Warren.

John will be buried, with military honors, on Tuesday, August 25th at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.

Please share memories of John at his guest book below.