Andy O'Neil Grimsley

1941 – 2026

Andy O’Neil Grimsley passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 26, 2026, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Andy was meticulous, diligent, resourceful, honorable, and gentle. And very funny. He had a great and special love for Lake Martin throughout his life. Growing up in Alex City, the lake was in his blood. From childhood on, first at his family’s Russell cabin and later at his house in "the perfect slough," he relished life on the water. Many non-lake friends cherish memories of “Captain Andy” taking them out for a cruise.

Andy was born March 11, 1941. After graduating in the class of 1959 from Benjamin Russell High School, Andy went to the University of Alabama, where he pledged Delta Tau Delta. During the Vietnam War he took a break from school to enlist in the Air Force and was stationed in Taiwan. He then returned to college life and was a proud Bama graduate. Andy spent a long career at Rust Engineering as a purchasing manager and made many life-long friends there. After retirement, he reignited his talent as a visual artist, finding great pleasure in creating diverse paintings in his studio retreat.

Andy was predeceased by his parents, Julia Bence Grimsley and Paul Acker Grimsley, and by his sister Daphne Grimsley. He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Lynn Davis Grimsley; by his two children, Beth Grimsley Harris and Michael McGovern (Christina); by his three grandchildren, Sawyer Harris, Hannah Harris, and Davis McGovern; and by his sister Juliette Grimsley Shaw (Dave).