Thomas Aaron Grim

STRAFFORD, Mo. — Thomas Aaron Grim died Saturday, June 30, 2012, at 1:20 p.m. at the Stafford Care Center in Strafford, Mo.

He was born March 10, 1934, in Greene County, Springfield, Mo. to Alvin Soloman and Nellie Mae (Jordan) Grim. Thomas Aaron and Anna Merle Gregg were united in marriage January 8, 1954, in Springfield. To this union three daughters were born: Dorothy Jane, Sara Teresa, and Suzann Kay.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert.

He is survived by his wife, Merle; three daughters, D. Jane Grim Cook and her husband, Kevin, of Bonne Terre; Sara T. Grim of Taoyuan City, Taiwan; Suzann K. Grim Lynch and her husband, Todd, of Joplin. He is also survived by four granddaughters, Melissa Ann Cook Bollinger and her husband, Nathan, of Fredericktown; Sarah Kaye Cook McFarland and her husband, Keith, of Farmington; Emily Grace Lynch of Joplin; and Jennifer Suzann Lynch of Joplin. Additional survivors include four great-grandchildren, Jacob Nathaniel Bollinger; Kylee Jane Bollinger; Eli Daniel McFarland; and Caleb Lee McFarland; a sister, Mary Anna Grim Cantrell of Fair Grove, Mo.; as well as several cousins, nephews, nieces and a host of friends.

Thomas Aaron was saved as a youth and was a long-time Southern Baptist. He served as Deacon and Sunday School teacher and made several trips with the men’s building team to construct new churches across the U.S.

He was a charter member and Deacon of New Start Southern Baptist Church in Springfield.

Thomas Aaron graduated from Greenwood Laboratory School, Southwest Missouri State, and the University of Missouri at Columbia, with Master’s and Doctorate degrees. He taught Industrial Arts and Math at Fordland High School, Mountain Grove High School, and the Springfield R-12 Schools. He also served as the Assistant Director of the Vocational-Technical Schools in Bonne Terre, Joplin and Springfield. He was the Director of Adult Education at the Vo-Tech School in Springfield. He retired in 1990 after completing 31 years in education.

He enjoyed woodworking, raising hybridized iris’, reading and traveling. He was the past President of the American Iris Society, a life-time member of the AAIA-ITEA and Phi Delta Kappa. He was a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association and Retired Teachers Association. In 1967-68 Thomas was honored as the outstanding teacher of the year by American Industrial Arts Association.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 5, 2012, at Greenlawn North Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Friday, July 6, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., with Rev. Gary Norcross officiating. Burial will be at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions are suggested to NewStart Southern Baptist Church, Building Fund, 309 South Scenic Avenue, Springfield, Mo.