Cecil Eber Grimes

Cecil Eber Grimes, 87, of East Liverpool, passed away Thursday, August 31, 2023, at Calcutta Health Care.

Cecil was born at home on March 25, 1936, in Ravenswood, WV.  His father Ross Erwin Grimes was a native of East Liverpool who traveled south to find work during the “Great Depression”.  His mother was the late Leora Inez Brewer who was a resident of Meigs County, Ohio.  

Cecil graduated from East Liverpool High School with the class of 1954.  He then graduated from Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, in June 1958 with a degree in Political Science.  After his graduation he enlisted in the US Army, during the Vietnam War, where he received the Bronze Star, served 13 years, and retired with the Meritorious Service Medal, and the rank of Captain, in 1971.

 After his honorable discharge from the service, Cecil was employed by the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America as Scout Executive of Secota District, NCAC. His last employment was with the city of East Liverpool, as the Superintendent of Thompson Park from 1969 to 2004.  He was responsible for the first major improvement of facility since 1939, including the reconstruction of the swimming pool (originally built by the WPA); construction of a new, small pavilion near the swimming pool; construction of two stone flush toilets built by Elio LeRussi., (One is located by the main entrance and the other by pavilion number three), installing concrete pads for each of the outdoor tables on the main lawn, grading terraces at the amphitheater, reinforced by large shaped stones to hold them in place and the emplacement of four large steel gates at the major drive in gates to the park.  The last things improved the security of the park’s equipment. The support of the East Liverpool area Chamber of Commerce and the citizens of the city by passing a tax levy proposition was the key to all the upgrades. He was a former member of the Southern Ruritan Club, American Legion, and Boy Scout Troop 12.

Cecil is survived by: three sons: Paul A. (LaDonna) Grimes, of Hampton, VA, Ross A. (Teresa) Grimes, of Sumter, SC, and Eber A. (Heather) Grimes, of East Liverpool; 7 grandchildren: Crystal (Mike) Wayner, Michelle Wells, Greg Grimes, Sabrina Grimes, Jessica (Leslie) Atkinson, Paxton Grimes, and Paige Grimes; and three great-grandchildren: Paizleigh, Madison, and Asher.

 Along with his parents, Cecil was preceded in death by: his wife of 60 years, Maryann Todd Grimes, who passed away in 2020; two brothers Earl Erwin Grimes and Roy Melvin Grimes and his sister Rev. Lenora Maxine Pardee.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at the Martin Chapel of Care Funeral & Cremation Specialists, in Calcutta, Ohio.  The funeral will take place on Wednesday, September 6th at 11:00AM.  Burial will follow at Columbiana County Memorial Park where the Tri-State Burial group will accord full military honors.

Family would like to thank the staff of Calcutta Health Care Center for giving him excellent care over the past 7 years. Special thanks to Rosie, Jackie, Janet, Carol, Teresa, and all the other direct care staff that loved him like he was part of their own family.