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 Leading
educator Joe Grimsley dies unexpectedly
Joseph
W. Grimsley, one of North Carolina’s premier educators who
emerged from Wilson County along with Jim Hunt to become a key
player in the state’s political and civic life, died of a
heart attack on July 13 at his home in Hamlet. He was 65. For
the past 16 years, Grimsley was president of Richmond
Community College, where he was an innovator in promoting
vocational education. He was a member of the NCCBI Board of
Directors and served as campaign manager for the N.C.
Partnership for Schools and Roads in 1996, which succeeded in
passing the $2.75 billion school and road bond campaign. Last
year he was a member of the working committee for North
Carolinians for Educational Opportunity, the NCCBI-led group
that promoted passage of the $3.1 billion in bonds for
universities and community colleges.
“North Carolina has lost a great public servant who often
worked hard and effectively behind the scenes to promote good
things, especially educational opportunity and excellence for
all North Carolinians,” said NCCBI President Phil Kirk.
Grimsley managed Hunt's successful campaigns for lieutenant
governor in 1972, for governor in 1976 and 1980 and his
unsuccessful challenge to Republican Sen. Jesse Helms in 1984.
When Hunt became governor, Grimsley served as secretary of
Administration during Hunt’s first term. During Hunt's
second term he was secretary of Natural Resources and
Community Development. He also won a Fulbright scholarship and
served in the Peace Corps.
"He was one of the greatest spirits and movers and
shakers I've ever known," Hunt said in an article in the
Raleigh newspaper. "Joe Grimsley had great vision for
North Carolina and the practical ideas and energy to make it a
reality. He had an uncanny sense of how the average working
people of North Carolina feel." The funeral service was
held July 17 in Wilson, with burial in Evergreen Memorial
Gardens.
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