Ray graduated from Bishop Miege High School in 1961. His skillset varied professionally before spending 30 years walking the assembly line floors at Ford Motor Company in his cowboy boots. Ray was married to his loving wife Lindy (Harriet L) Grindel for 42 years before her passing in 2014. Summers with the family were known for trips to the neighborhood pool in the back of his old, orange F-150. And on Sundays, the family could be found filling the second pew from the front with their church family. His involvement with his sons in Boy Scout Troop 417 earned him the name of Lumbering Black Bear with the Tribe of Mic-O-Say for his legendary snoring during camping trips. Ray had a passion for woodworking, making wooden toys and filling their home with several handmade pieces of furniture. If there was a tool to be owned, Ray had it.
After retirement, Ray could be found sitting on the porch keeping track of the neighbors while drinking his coffee. In his later years, Ray discovered his true athletic nature, becoming the home run king of his community’s bean bag baseball league.
Ray was known for his faith in God, his love of his family, his collection of trains, his amazing choice of jewelry, and his deep, distinctive voice. He leaves a legacy of strong family ties and compassion.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Inez Grindel, his wife Lindy Grindel, and their son John Grindel.
He is survived by his sons Clifford Grindel (Amanda) and Karl Grindel (Ashley) and daughters Stephanie Bedard (Paul) and Harriet Grindel; and six grandchildren: Andrew (Justine), Olivia, and Joey Bedard, Braydon Behnke, and Levi and Harper Grindel; his brothers John (Frances) Grindel and J. Michael (Cecelia) Grindel and sister Doris Weber, and several loving nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the John A. Grindel Memorial Scholarship Fund https://gkccfonlinedonations.org/give/grin00.asp
Services will be held at St. Andrew the Apostle in Gladstone on Friday, January 22, 2021. Visitation held from 12-1:00pm, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00. Burial at White Chapel Cemetery will be for immediate family only.
The funeral mass will be live streamed via the church at the following link https://www.youtube.com/c/StAndrewtheApostleGladstoneMO
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