SMSgt (Ret.) Joe Carl Grimes Sr., age 85 of Dardanelle passed away Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. He was born March 25 1936, in Carden Bottoms, Arkansas to the late Carl Grimes and Edith Manes Grimes. He served his country for 24 years in the Air Force, where he worked mostly in intelligence gathering communications, intercepting Soviet messages during the Cold War. He was also attached to the Secret Service during the 1976 Presidential Campaign, while serving in the Air Force. Joe was a long-time business owner and operated Grimes Westside Store in Dardanelle for over 30 years.

Joe loved music! He picked the guitar and sang Country Songs all his life. When Joe wasn't whistling, you could often hear him break out in song for no particular reason. Joe was also touted as the "town historian" by many in Dardanelle and he loved to display dozens of old photos in his store and tell stories about the good old days. Joe even co-authored a book, A Pictorial History: Dardanelle and the Bottoms, 1880s-1980s, with Diane Gleason. Although he was not a member of a church, Joe had a strong Christian faith and demonstrated that faith, helping so many people in need, whether they were family, friends, or strangers.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; an infant twin son; one sister, Jean Tilmon and three brothers, Mack Grimes, Billy Tilmon and Louie Tilmon.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Joan Darter Grimes; four children, Joe Carl Grimes Jr., Gary Grimes, Craig Grimes (Kip), Mike Grimes (Kristy); two brothers, Steve Grimes, Arthur "Junior" Tilmon; nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, 6:00P.M. to 8:00P.M. at Cornwell Chapel in Dardanelle. Funeral services will be held at 10:00A.M., Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at the chapel, with Pastors Paul Seay, Jimmy Turner and Diane Gleason officiating. Burial will be in Brearley Cemetery in Dardanelle.

Pallbearers will be Jimmie "Nick" Nichols, Mark Thone, J.M. Graves, David Partridge, Jimmy Witt and Brandon Carter.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Ken Alexander, Buster Berryhill, Ed Love, Dwight Atkinson, J.L. Martin, John Parker, Kim Hickey, Danny Bunting, Gordon Miller, Larry Underwood and Dr. Allan Kirkland.

Arrangements by Cornwell Funeral Home in Dardanelle. Online Guest Book and Condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com