James (Jim) O. Grimm, age 96, of 34236 Parkview Avenue, Eustis, FL 32736-7225, died May 25, 2024, a Memorial Weekend.

Mr. Grimm was bom in Bucyrus, Ohio to Orval C. Grimm and Laurena Riddle-Grimm, both deceased. He was married November 27, 1991 to Patricia C. Axon, who survives.  [Two previous marriages to Kimie Takano and Pia Thieme ended in divorce.]

Mr. Grimm is survived by one son, John O. Grimm, a spine surgeon (retired), and wife Patricia of Evansville, IN; and three daughters, Kathleen Roney, a culinary director, and husband Guy of Carlsbad, CA; Stefanie Hamilton, an attorney, and husband Mike of Lincoln, NE; and Barbara Barlow, a nurse practitioner, and husband Hugh of Harlingen, TX; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. The following deceased siblings:  Joann Clutter, Mary Jane Hart, Chester Grimm, Robert Grimm, and Bonnie Grau.

Mr. Grimm was a 1946 graduate of Bucyrus, Ohio High School; held a B.A. degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, and a Masters Degree in Management Science from Central Michigan University. Advanced Air Force Engineering and Photo Science education was derived through extensive studies with Rochester and Massachusetts Institutes of Technology. He was also a 1957 graduate of the Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer Academy.

Mr. Grimm was one of the last World War II draftees. He served in the Air Force from 1946 to 1972 and held Photo Systems engineering and management positions during the Korean, Vietnamese, and Cold Wars. Top secret intelligence collection and spy activities resulted in overseas assignments to Japan, Germany, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and Philippine Islands. After 26 years of military service, of which 19 years were dedicated to foreign service, Mr. Grimm retired in 1972 from the Air Force and joined the General Electric Co. (GE) Aerospace Division where he served 21 years in various government contract engineering and management positions involving the collection, processing, and dissemination of spy satellite imagery until retiring in 1993. His last government contract was with the Central Intelligence Agency for eight years, supporting various covert spy activities. He and wife Patricia moved to Florida in March 1994.

Mr. Grimm was a life member of the Non-Commissioned Officers Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, American Legion, and Taiwan Veterans Badge of Honor Association.

Mr. Grimm published his autobiography, Fading Memories Spyworld 47 Years In A Cloud of Security in 2019.

At Mr. Grimm's request, there will be no public ceremonies, memorials, or any type of funeral services for Mr. Grimm.

Interment arrangements in Florida Bushnell National Cemetery are by Baldwin Brothers Funeral Home, Tavares, FL.

Donations may be sent to charities of choice, in memory of James O. Grimm.