Richard “Dick” Grindstaff, 86, of Elizabethton, went home to be with his Lord on Thursday, January 10, 2019, at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, Tenn. Dick was born in Elizabethton, Tenn., the youngest of nine children, born to the late James Arthur Grindstaff and Alberta Denny Grindstaff. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife and the love of his life, Betty Ruth Hall Grindstaff, in 2016; four brothers, Jim Grindstaff, Karl Grindstaff, Charlie Grindstaff and Fred Grindstaff; and four sisters, Gladys Tatum, Nell Hendrix, Mildred Reece and Gloria Sheehan.
Dick was a 1949 graduate of Elizabethton High School and had also attended ETSU. He was a United States Navy veteran, having served in the Korean War and was stationed on the USS Rochester (CA-124) and was in the Task Force 77. He retired from Eastman Chemical Corporation and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Elizabethton and also attended Grace Baptist Church of Elizabethton. Dick formerly taught the Intermediate Boys Class at Stoney Creek Baptist Church for more than 30 years. He enjoyed fishing and hunting.
Those left to cherish his memory include many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews, all to whom he contributed love and time to their “raising.”
A service to honor the life of Richard “Dick” Grindstaff will be conducted at 6 p.m. Sunday, January 13, in the Riverside Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Reverend Raymond Amos Sr., Reverend Travis Tyler and Reverend Buford “Boo” Hankins officiating. Music will be under the direction of David Arney. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 4 until 6 p.m. Sunday, prior to the service. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, January 14, at Happy Valley Memorial Park.Military Honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Active pallbearers will be his nephews, James Grindstaff, Karl Wayne Grindstaff, David Grindstaff, Wayne Grindstaff, Jonathan Grindstaff, Wesley Bradley, Chad Grindstaff, Clifford Thomas Hall and Jonathan Grindstaff, and his nieces, Stephanie Rainey and Jennifer Tipton. Honorary pallbearers will be his friends at First United Methodist Church and Grace Baptist Church. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, at 10:15 a.m. Monday to go in procession to the cemetery. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to First United Methodist Church, 325 East E. Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643 or to Grace Baptist Church, 1114 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643. The family would like to express their appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff of Sycamore Shoals Hospital and Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville for the love and care shown to Dick during his illness. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Mr. Grindstaff and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.