Gary Allen Grimm Jr., age 32, of Urbandale, IA, and formerly of Unionville, MO, passed away surrounded by his family at the Kavanagh House in Des Moines on Friday, November 1, 2024.
Gary was born on August 7, 1992, in Kirksville, MO, the son of Gary and Susan (Couchman) Grimm. He was raised in Unionville and graduated from the Putnam County R-I school with the class of 2011. He then attended Truman State University for Linguistics switching after two years to Computer Engineering and completed that four-year degree in record time and graduated two years early. While at Truman Gary joined the Truman Swing Dance Team in which he excelled at, traveling across the United States competing and teaching. Many of the thousands he met during his time dancing become lifelong friends whom he considered a second family. He looked forward to joining many of them each year over Christmas break in Ashville, NC. After graduation Gary accepted a position with IBM in Rochester, MN, he later worked for John Deere in Des Moines and most recently with Enterprise in Des Moines. Gary had an infectious personality and made friends easily. During his sickness friends from across the country made the journey to Des Moines to be with him. Gary had a very giving and caring heart and a deep passion to help others in need, he volunteered his time and resources to Des Moines Mutual Aid. In his free time, he enjoyed being at the Horizon Line Coffee Shop in Des Moines and the employees looked forward to his homemade sour dough bread each Saturday. Gary loved nature; gardening and raising flowers, he enjoyed going camping, guns, woodworking and had a deep love for older music, especially the swing era. He loved animals, especially his two cats; Monty and Webster. When he lived in Unionville, Gary was active with many of the ministries of the First Christian Church.
Gary is survived by his parents Gary and Susan Grimm of Unionville, MO, his sisters Hannah Grimm of Urbandale, IA, Chassity (Jay) Baker of Kirksville, MO, Rachel Grimm of Centerville, IA, and his brother Shawn Grimm of Marion, IA, his grandmother Gloria Couchman of Unionville, MO, his aunts and uncles: Linnette (Tom) Caley, Chuck (Pam) Grimm, Pat (Bill) Breeding, Linda McGhee, George (Linda) Grimm, Debra Brockus and Frank (Irene) Grimm, his nieces and nephews; Lyrick Baker, Leland Baker, Ryan Burhite, Breanna Burhite, Emily Burhite and Lacy Burhite along with several cousins and many friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents: George and JoAnn Grimm, and Jay Couchman, his uncles Donnie Couchman, Jim Grimm and Calvin McGhee and his sister Misti Grimm.
According to Gary’s wishes, a graveside service with natural burial was held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 10:30 am at the Unionville Cemetery in Unionville, MO. A celebration of life service is being planned and will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be given to Connections Youth Center in Unionville or to the Des Moines Mutual Aid to help feed the homeless.
Casady-Luscan Funeral Solutions is honored to care for and minister to Gary’s family during this time.
