APPLE VALLEY, CA & GUILFORD, ME – Chelsey Varney Grindell, the patriarch of the Grindell family went to be with our Lord January 3rd, 2015.
He was born to Earl and Vivian Grindell in 1936 at Lambert Lake Maine, the oldest of seven children. While in college he was a standout athlete in Basketball, Track, and Cross Country, leading his team to state titles and eventually the national stage. He graduated from Piscataquis Community High School in Guilford, Maine and the University of Maine in Orono. He completed the ROTC program entering the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. His sense of patriotism defined his adult life where he went on to earn the rank of Full Bird Colonel in the United States Army. Chelsey married his high school sweetheart Ruth Ellen (Bridges) Grindell and while serving his country raised a family. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ruth and four children: Deborah Grafton and husband Brian, Judy Frazier and husband John, Earl Scott Grindell and wife Beatrice, and Cheryl Rains. He has six grandchildren, Jennifer Garcia, Danielle Romain, Chelsey Loop, Lacey Andrews, Logan Rains and Chase Grindell, as well as six great grandchildren, Ryder and Zane Romain, Broxton and Daltynn Loop and Noah and Kinsley Andrews. Chelsey had six siblings, three of which predeceased him, brothers Laurice and David Grindell and sister Donna Horvath. He is survived by three other siblings, brother Royd Grindell, sisters Diana Szymaszek and Darlene Winsor.
During Chelsey’s military career he was stationed in Georgia, Italy, New Jersey, Hawaii, Korea, and California where he and Ruth ended up retiring. During his retirement he worked his golf handicap down into the single digits several times. Chelsey and Ruth traveled and played all over the world including Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, Scotland, Ireland, England, and many of the 50 United States courses including one tee time at midnight during the summer solstice in Alaska.
Chelsey was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was a cub scout pack master and attended countless plays, ball games, races, recitals, award ceremonies, and several weddings.
He will be honored by his friends and family January 20th 2015 at 9:30am at the Arlington Mortuary, 9645 Magnolia Ave, Riverside. Interment follows at The Riverside National Cemetery at 11:30am in a Military Committal Ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Chelsey’s memory may be sent to:
The American Heart Association 930 S Mount Vernon Avenue Unit600 Colton, California 92324-3928 909.424.1670 https://donate.heart.org