Thomas "Tom" Dixon Grimm

Captain Thomas Dixon Grimm, USN (Ret.), passed away on April 21, 2025, in Hilton Head Island after several years battling Parkinson’s disease. He was 89 years old. 

Tom was born in Connellsville, PA, to Bert and Annie Grimm. At Dormont High School in Pittsburgh, he played football, wrestled, and ran on the track team. Having been recruited to play football, he attended Bullis Preparatory School for a year before heading to Annapolis, MD, where he entered the United States Naval Academy in 1954. While at the Naval Academy, he played football on the Varsity and JV teams. 

After graduation from the Naval Academy and his commissioning as an Ensign in 1958, he married Julia Bolin in Pittsburgh and reported to USS VESOLE (DDR-878) in Norfolk. In 1960, he transferred to the submarine community where he served aboard diesel submarines ANGLER (SS-240), TIGRONE (SS-419), IREX (SS-482), DARTER (SS-576), TROUT (SS-566), and commanded the DARTER (SS-576). 

Captain Grimm retired from the Navy in 1982 and went to work at Battelle Memorial Institute located in Columbus, OH, where he led a large research and development division until his retirement in 1996. 

Following retirement, he and his wife Julia relocated to Navarre, FL and later to Hilton Head Island, SC. He remained active in retirement with various endeavors including golf and travel to visit family. He served as President of one of the largest Homeowners Associations in the state of Florida.

Tom was an eternal optimist who loved to laugh, tease, and be with family and friends. He was a loving husband, a devoted father, and doting “Pop” to his seven grandchildren. 

Predeceased by Julia, his wife of 64 years, and brothers Dick and Wendell, Tom is survived by his brother Art; two sons Randy (Diana) and Bob (Joanie); daughter Sandy Denius; seven grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren. 

Services will be held at the Naval Academy Chapel on July 24, 2025, followed by inurnment at the USNA Columbarium.