Edward “Ed” Grimsley | 2022 | Obituary
Edward “Ed” Grimsley
November 2, 2022
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Edward “Ed” Grimsley, who led the Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial pages for 25 years, died November 2, 2022, at the age of 95. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ann Neblett Grimsley.
He began his journalism career as a reporter in the Richmond bureau of United Press International shortly after his graduation from the College of William & Mary in February of 1951. He returned to his Alma Mater in the fall of 1952 as public relations director for incoming President Alvin Duke Chandler. A year later, he joined the staff of the Times-Dispatch and remained there for 42 years, serving the newspaper as reporter, columnist, Editorial Page Editor and Chairman of the Editorial Board, the position he occupied at the time of retirement in 1995. His stories, columns, and editorials won numerous professional awards. Collections of his satirical and humorous columns appeared in two books, “Coming Through Awry” and “First, Let’s Kill All the Humorists.” A popular public speaker, he enjoyed sharing his journalistic experiences with audiences around the country.
During his long career, he supported his profession in various ways. He served as a member of the Pulitzer Prize nominating jury, served as president of the Richmond chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and was a member of both the American Society of Newspaper Editors and the National Conference of Editorial Writers.
Throughout his career, he accepted many opportunities to serve William & Mary. He lectured there often to student groups and classes. He served as a member of the Board of Directors and as President of the Alumni Association. Governor Wilder chose him in 1990 to fill an unexpired term on the Board of Visitors and named him to a full four-year term in 1993. Governor Allen reappointed him to another term in 1997. While on the Board, he served terms as Secretary, Vice-Rector, and from 1999 until his retirement from the Board in 2001, as Rector. In that position, he strengthened the Board’s governance of Richard Bland College by appointing a special Board committee to focus on the affairs of that important William & Mary affiliate. For more than 15 years he was on the adjunct journalism faculty of the Richmond Professional Institute, a William & Mary branch that became Virginia Commonwealth University. The William & Mary Alumni Association recognized his contributions to the College by awarding him the Alumni Medallion, the Association’s highest honor. He was the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the College.
In addition to his contributions to William & Mary, his public service record includes appointments by Governor Jim Gilmore to a higher education study commission and to the board of the Museum of Natural History, and by Governor Mark Warner to a commission to study mass transit problems in Virginia’s urban areas.
A native of Buchanan County, he volunteered for the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 during World War II. Following the war, he entered William & Mary, to which he developed an enduring attachment. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, The Country Club of Virginia, the Commonwealth Club, the Forum Club, Sons of the Revolution, and the Fifty-Five Golf Association.
He is also survived by two daughters, Dr. Penny Blumenthal (Benjamin) of Richmond and Anna Ashworth (Alan) of Tampa, Fla.; six grandchildren, Michael Blumenthal (Kelly) of Fredericksburg, Stephanie Small (Will) of Richmond, Caitlin Ashworth of Columbia, S.C., Jonathan and Jillian Ashworth of Tampa, Fla. and Nathan Ashworth of Fairbanks, Alaska; and four great-grandchildren. A son, James Edward Grimsley, Jr., died in 2009.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 9, at First Presbyterian Church, 4602 Cary Street Road, Richmond. A reception will follow at the church. Burial in Hollywood Cemetery will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed’s memory to William & Mary Annual Fund. Please make checks payable to William & Mary and mail to William & Mary, Gift Accounting, P.O. Box 1693, Williamsburg, Va. 23187. To make an online gift, please visit Give to W&M.
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