Submitted by: Edward L. Williams
THE CLIFTON RECORD – Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Memorial services were held for Furman Alexander Grimm, 85, of Temple on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in temple. Burial was in Kileen, at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.
Furman Grimm was born in Bosque County on Aug. 25, 1922, and went to be with his Lord on June 25, 2008. Born, the first of two children to Enor and Olga Grimm, his life was spent in a family and relatives of close ties as well as a strong love and faith in the Lord.
He became a child of God as an infant at his baptism in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Norse on Oct 15, 1922. His baptismal covenant was confirmed Oct 15, 1936, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clifton. He loved his Lord, loved his family and was a faithful friend to all who knew him. His unwavering belief in God and faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ, was his strength, comfort and council. This relationship was evident in his loyalty and devotion to family and friends. He was a lifelong Lutheran and served the church in many capacities where ever he and his family resided.
He was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Temple.
“This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. That what I try to do as I approach every day. I try to thank the Lord as he spared me in combat and later as a World War II prisoner of war. I am a survivor. Every day when the sun comes up, I say, thank you Lord for another day, Indeed, He has been good to me,” said Furman Grimm.
He graduated from Clifton High School in 1939 and entered the University of Texas that same year. After joining the Enlisted Reserve Corps, he was called into service in early 1943. He later entered the Army Specialized training Program where he studied Civil Engineering at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark.
When the program was discontinued, he joined the 99th Infantry Division. He later served in the European Theatre including the Battle of the Bulge. He was taken prisoner, moved to Stalag XIII C and liberated near the end of the war in the town of Wendlestein near Nurenburg.
After graduating from the University of Texas in early 1947, he became employed as a Geophysicist with Humble Oil and Refining Company (Exxon). His work extended over much of West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico.
He married Frances Bronstad in 1948 and two sons, Steven and Michael, were born to this union. Later in 1948 they moved to California when Humble opened offices in Los Angeles. Grimm came back to Roswell N.M. as District Geophysicist. In 1959, he became the Area Exploration Geophysicist in Midland. In 1965 he assumed the position of Chief Geophysicist for ESSO in the Philippines while his family resided in Manila. While in Southeast Asia, operations were conducted in the South China Sea off the coast of Northern Borneo and the Gulf of Thailand. After completion of work in Singapore, the family moved to Houston where he served on the Staff of Chief Geophysicist.
After retirement from Exxon, he managed a cattle ranch north of Meridian, Texas. He retired fully in 1980 and the family moved to Clifton where they resided for 20 years before moving to Temple in 2002.
Grimm was an avid golfer having had three hole in ones. He played intramural baseball at the University of Texas and played football and basketball in High School.
He is survived by his devoted wife Fran of 59 years; a son, Michael, and grandchildren, Tyler and Kirstin.
He was preceded in death by a son, Steven, in 1999; and a brother Trenton, in 1936.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Temple, Texas, or to Lutheran Sunset Ministries, P.O. Box 71, Clifton, or Vista Care, 2626 S. 37th St., Ste. B., Temple.