(January 29, 1944 – January 4, 2014)

On Saturday, January 4, 2014, Richard William Grimshaw passed away just a few weeks shy of his 70th birthday. Richard demonstrated courage and perseverance throughout his life, and he faced significant health challenges with patience and faith. Richard survived a life-threatening brain tumor at age 19, and dealt with epilepsy his entire adult life.  Even after suffering a traumatic brain injury in June of 2013, he continued to bless many lives with his example of persistence and his calm and positive demeanor.  He was surrounded in his last hours by loving family and friends who said goodbye with words, prayers, and music.

Richard hailed from Enoch, Utah, the son of George D Grimshaw, who taught him how to work hard, think carefully, and fix practically anything; and Elizabeth Smith Grimshaw, from whom he inherited his quiet wisdom and boundless charity. He was industrious, adventurous, and creative. As a young man he enjoyed fixing cars, drag racing, and hunting with his dad and brothers, and later developed a love for literature and a talent for watercolor painting. He was a student (and probably the skinniest football player) in the Cedar High School Class of 1962, served an LDS mission in Southern California, and completed his degree in elementary education at CSU (now SUU), later earning a Masters degree from Utah State University. He loved teaching, and taught third grade for 28 years–two in Enterprise and the remainder at East Elementary in St. George. He spent his retirement in continual service to others, including countless hours as an ordinance worker in the St. George LDS Temple and at the computer doing genealogical research.

Richard married his longtime sweetheart, Charlotte Carter, in 1967. Their relationship was the epitome of love and unfailing devotion. They eventually established their home in Washington, Utah. They raised five children, with whom he read poetry, co-authored picture books, coached little league teams, went home-teaching, hauled musical equipment for concerts, troubleshot cars, discussed theology, and completed outlandishly elaborate school projects. In later years he loved visiting his children and grandchildren in Utah County, Pennsylvania, and California, and preparing the house for their visits.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Robert and Kent, father-in-law S Neal Carter, brother-in-law Michael Carter, and sister-in-law Deedy Grimshaw. He is survived by his wife of 47 years; his children, Jeff (Tanya), Greg (Elizabeth), Jeremy (Kristen), Michelle Robinson (Greg), Kristen VanOrman (Jonny), and nine grandchildren: Tate, Owen, Anna, Meg, Grady, William, Noah, Roscoe, and Milo; sisters Clara Mae Hatch (Oleen) and DeAnne Stubbs (Clarence); brothers Steven (Carla), Arlen (Cathy), Dave (Colleen), and Alan; his mother-in-law, Rea Carter; sister-in-law Linda Carter; brothers-in-law Boyd Carter (Suzy) and J.R. Carter (Denise); and a wide circle of beloved friends and relatives.

Funeral Services

• Funeral services will take place on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Washington 1st Ward LDS Chapel, 82 N. Main St., Washington.
• Viewings will be held at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George on Friday, Jan. 10, from 6-8 p.m., and at the chapel in Washington on Saturday from 9-10:30 a.m., prior to the service.
• Burial will be in the Cedar City cemetery.

The family would like to publicly thank the CNAs, nurses, and therapists at Red Cliffs Health and Rehabilitation for their kind care during the past 5 months. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michael K. Carter Memorial Scholarship Fund at SUU, or the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund. Funeral arrangements under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary.