The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Educator led life of service, kindness
Grimes was superintendent of schools
By Kathleen Conat, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: January 3, 2008
The Ypsilanti community is mourning the loss of Ralph Grimes, a longtime Ypsilanti educator and resident, this week. Grimes, 71, passed over on Christmas Day at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital after a short battle with illness.
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Grimes began his career in the Ypsilanti PublicSchool District as a math teacher at West Junior High School, now West Middle School, before becoming principal at Ypsilanti High School.
"He was a kind, gentle man with a real presence," recalled Bob Wilkinson, who served as senior class principal under Grimes for five years. "He was my mentor. He was pretty unique and I learned more from him than anyone else in my whole career."
Wilkinson said Grimes affected his own style of administration.
"He taught me patience, to not rush into things and get all the facts before deciding what to do," Wilkinson said. "He was always willing to talk.
"He taught me that the most important thing is people; to know them, work with them and understand them."
In an Ypsilanti High School that was roughly twice the size of the current one, Wilkinson said, things could get upset in a hurry.
"He was always right then in a crisis; right in the middle of it, being thoughtful and calming things down. I never saw him lose control. In those situations you have to remain calm, or at least appear to be calm so others will calm down around you."
Grimes left the job as principal to become assistant superintendent of the district. When Superintendent James Hawkins left in 1990, Grimes replaced him. Hawkins has since returned to the district and serves as superintendent now.
Grimes was born Aug. 13, 1936 in Adrian, to Paul E. and Agatha (Byrd) Grimes. He married Gale Zebbs in Toledo, Ohio, on Aug. 21, 1959 and she survives.
Other survivors include two daughters; Dawn Grimes of Southfield and Robyn (Allen) Cleveland of Ypsilanti; granddaughter Breanna; sister Barbara (Jerry) Turner of Adrian; two brothers: Richard M. Grimes of Jackson and Nathaniel Grimes of Adrian; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
A memorial service was held last Saturday at Community Church of God Church, with the Rev. Fred L. Davis officiating.
Kathleen Conat is a longtime Ypsilanti resident and freelance writer for The Courier. She can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.
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