Norman C. Grimes

Norman C. Grimes, age 85, left this earthly life as we know it to be in the heavenly presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, May 11, 2019. The son of Melvin “Jack” and Florence G. Grimes, he was born November 7, 1933 in Tiffin, Ohio.

Norm grew up in Tiffin, Ohio, graduated from Tiffin Columbian high school, obtained bachelor’s degree from Heidelberg College, master’s degree from Iowa State, then his PH.D from Toledo University. He taught in Cleveland then for many years at Tiffin Columbian High School, Biology and Chemistry.

June 15, 1957 Norman found love. He married Christine Phillips. They were married 58 years before she passed away September 25, 2015. Together they had four sons, Thomas, Timothy, Mark and Matthew Grimes.

Norm was a kind husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a great lover of animals, being loved by dogs and cats everywhere. What a tremendous sense of humor; if a joke was told he could still be heard laughing 5 minutes later, with each ha-ha escalating above the previous.

“Faithful , diligent, intense, focused” describe Norm’s approach with all he was involved. He loved God and Jesus Christ with all his heart and had compassion for those who do not know God in personal relationship. A many-year member of Tiffin Harmony United Methodist Church, he was involved with Youth for Christ, Bible Quiz competitions, and led Bible study. Norm helped lead “Fellowship of Christian Athletes” at the high school.

The Gideon's International ministry was a passion of Norm’s, being part of distributing Bibles and in prison ministry. In later life, he and wife Christine became missionaries in Paraguay, taking on the challenge of learning new language; Norm taught at a Christian academy and would also go to the poorer regions for ministry. After returning to the States, Norm and Christine became local Methodist pastors in churches in Barnesville district and at Green Springs, Pleasant Ridge churches in Ohio.

In biology teaching career he went all-out in his creativity in the lab, and much to his family’s dismay could at times “bring his work home with him” (the reader can determine what that may have looked like). He led many successful annual science fairs.

Norm had great impact as track and cross country coach for many years. At Tiffin Columbian, he led many teams to the NOL championships and state qualifications. He was founder of the Cross Country Carnival meet/invitational, which has become one of the biggest meets in all of the United States. Norm was an innovator, and was known to have stopped and said to many a young lad, “You look like a runner” and would get them involved. He was inducted into the Ohio Coaches Hall of Fame.

Norman absolutely loved to run, and was still running 3-5 miles per day up until age 78.

Preceding Norm in death were his parents, brother and sister-in-laws, and loving wife, Christine.

Surviving are sons, Thomas, Timothy (Sharon), Mark and Matthew Grimes. Also eleven grandchildren: Christopher, Brittany, Justin, Kelsey, Luke, Isaac, Ian, Sam, Owen, Aiden, Abby, a sister- in- law, Glenna Walton, and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Altercare of Bucyrus nursing home for their many years of wonderful care for Norman and thanks to Kindred Hospice for their comfort care.

Calling hours are Friday, May 17, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Engle-Shook Funeral Home & Crematory, 135 N. Washington Street, Tiffin, OH. Funeral services will be Saturday, May 18 at 12:00 p.m., at the Tiffin Harmony United Methodist Church, located corner of county roads 19 and 6 outside of Tiffin, with one hour viewing before the service from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Pastor Matt Garrabrant will officiate. Burial will follow the services on Saturday, at Fairmont cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Norman’s memory may be made to The Gideon's International.

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