Obituary of Robert Grimes

View Video Tribute Robert James Grimes, age 81, of Yoder. CO passed away August 13, 2009 at his home. Robert (he preferred to be called Bob) was born on April 17, 1928 at Best, Chase County, Nebraska to Clyde Raymond and Mary Irene (Taylor) Grimes. He was one of seven children. The family made their home in the Best and Champion communities of Chase County where Bob attended Prairie Gem and Champion Elementary schools through the 8th Grade. He was not able to continue his education as he had to start working. Bob spent much of his time on the farm, which is where his love of horses began. On June 4, 1951, Bob married Peggy Leanore Hays of Wauneta, Nebraska in Denver, CO. To this union three children were born, son Jesse and daughters Jackie and Susan. Bob and Peggy started their life together in Nebraska. Bob was employed as a farm worker while in Nebraska. In 1956 Bob moved his family to Laramie Wyo. While at Laramie he was employed by Nebraska Bridge Company. The company manufactured creosote railroad ties and poles. He served as the Vice President for the employees Union Local from 1956 to 1962 at which time the family relocated to the Western Slope of Colorado. The family resided at Delta and Paonia on the Western Slope until the spring of 1965. It is there that his race horse Fly By Air grew up and was trained by Bob for his racing career. The family moved to Elizabeth CO and Bob started racing his horse at Centennial Race track at Littleton CO. Bob raced horses in Las Vegas NV, Phoenix AZ and in New Mexico. He got his training license and trained race horses for other owners as well for 2 years. In June of 1966 the family moved to Agate where Bob was employed by the Agate Elevator. In July 1967 the family moved to a place 9 miles north of Simla. While living in various places in the Simla area, Bob was employed at Nicholl’s Tillage Tools, O.K. Hamacher and Shorty Hamacher Well Works. For 17 years he farmed hay at the Pinery near Parker and for a short time was a co-owner of a firewood business at Franktown. He worked a hay farm near Rush for three years. Bob was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. Bob resided in the Simla, Rush, and Yoder communities until his death. In February 1980, Bob and Peggy began taking care of their handicapped grandson, Jason. Bob enjoyed raising and training horses, gardening, playing cards and visiting with family, friends and neighbors. He didn’t know a stranger. He also enjoyed watching horse races and never missed The Kentucky Derby. While living at Laramie he enjoyed competing in the Wild Horse Races at Cheyenne Frontier Days. But most of all he loved his grandson Jason and taking care of him. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Raye and Irene Grimes; two brothers, Dennis and Milton Grimes; and a granddaughter, Joy Ann Grimes. Robert is survived by his wife, Peggy; son, Jesse Raye Grimes of Yoder, CO; daughters, Jackua (Jackie) Kay Holifield and husband Michael of Aurora, CO and Susan Dole and husband Tom of Rush, CO; brother Eldon D. Grimes and wife Shirley of Greeley, CO; sisters, Capitola Kelley of Imperial, NE, Lila Welch of Glenwood Springs, CO and Marie Green of Fort Morgan, CO; nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Memorial Contributions are suggested to the Good Samaritan Center, PO Box 38, Simla, CO 80835 or Pikes Peak Hospice East Pikes Peak Ave Suite Colorado Springs, CO 80903.