Thomas "Dan" Grindstaff
March 13, 1943 ~ March 14, 2008
Resided in:
Leicester, NC
Thomas D. "Dan" Grindstaff, 65, passed away Friday, March 14, 2008, at his home with his family at his side, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Dan was born March 13, 1943, in McDowell County, to the late Robert and Ruth Allison Grindstaff. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Martha Sue and his father-in-law, George Wiley Brown.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Dorothy Brown Grindstaff; one son, Landon Brown Grindstaff and wife, Karen; one daughter, Susan G. Reynolds and husband, Frank; grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth Grindstaff, Daniel Edward Grindstaff, Robert Harrison Warren and Samuel Scott Warren; and one brother, Billy M. Grindstaff and wife Jeanette, of Old Fort.
Dan attended Asheville-Biltmore Junior College where he was captain of the 1962-63 basketball team. He earned his B.S. and M.A. degrees from Western Carolina University.
His professional career began in Macon County as a teacher at Franklin High School and principal of Nantahala School. His career in human resources started at Taylor Instruments. Dan then became an instructor in the Management Department of UNC-Asheville, serving also as director of the internship program. His consulting career continued at Western Carolina Industries where he worked for a number of years.
He retired as president and owner of L.F. Zerfoss Associates (a management consulting firm), with over 30 years of service.
The funeral service will be at 3:00p.m. Monday at Newfound Baptist Church, Leicester, with the Revs. Mark Ball and David Hawkins officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church two hours prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ABCCM, 30 Cumberland Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, or to the Williamson Fund at Cancer Care of WNC, 445 Biltmore Avenue, Suite 100, Asheville, NC 28801.
The family expresses special appreciation to Dr. Christopher Chay, Andrea Sheron, and all the staff at Cancer Care of WNC for their professional and compassionate care.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is assisting with the arrangements.
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I was fortunate to meet Dan through his consulting business, and he provided my former employer with effective and first rate service for over 10 years. My family and I were privileged to get to know Dan and Dot personally, and we will forever treasure their introduction of Cades Cove to us. Rest in Peace.
We are so sorry for your loss – Dan was a fine man. We know he will be missed greatly. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. Earl and Pam
My condolences to the family and friends. Dan was the principal of my school, Nantahala School. I saw him several years ago when my husband and I attended a Safety Awards Banquet in Asheville. He hunted pheasants with one of my friends/classmates, Kim Evans. Again, I offer to you my condolences.
Dot & Susan, We were so sorry to hear about Dan. He was a fine man and a good friend. David will always remember the good times pheasant hunting with Dan. We love Susan like a daughter and will always treasure our friendship with the family.
Dear Dot, Susan and Landon,
We are so sorry for your loss. Dan was a great friend and I will miss him dearly. We will always remember meeting you at horse shows around WNC when Susan and Nikki were showing. I’ll miss our hunting trips and lunches but I know Dan is with his savior now. We love all of you and will keep you in our prayers.
In Christ,
Jim, Chip and Nikki
Dot, Landon & Susan,
I am so very sorry to hear of Dans passing… Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers now and in the days to come…. Love Nicole
Susan and Family, My Thoughts and Prayers are with you. Sorry for your loss.
Please accept my sincere condolences at the passing of a fine man. I got to know him in 1980 when he was my internship advisor at UNC-A. He was a pleasure to work with and it was an honor to know him.
Dot and Family,
We are so very sorry.
In Jesus name,
Ken and Donna
my heart is so sad at our loss, Dan was a joy in our family.
Dear Dot,Dan was so much a part of Old Fort High School’s Class of 1961. I was proud to call him my friend.
Our prayers are with you
Olen and Brenda Rice
Dot, I knew when I met you and Dan that you were both very special people. I feel privileged to continue to care for his old office and to have done business with him. I know you will miss him terribly, however, knowing that he has no illness now is comforting, I am sure. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I’ll see in Heaven,
Your Sister in God’s Kingdom
Linda
My family and the Grindstaffs were neighbors and church friends at Ebenezer Methodist in Old Fort. I was close friends with Martha Sue growing up and at her death. Dan was always like a big brother. My thoughts and prayers have been with you and will continue. God bless and be with you.
Nancy
Dear Grindstaff family-
I am so sorry to read about your recent loss. Nothing can replace a husband or daddy but knowing that your loved one has a perfect body with no pain and is sitting with his Master up in Heaven can give a peace like no other. To know Jesus Christ as our Saviour is all we need. He will supply your every need. Susan you are in my thoughts.
Love in Christ,
Chad, Michelle, Walker and Reagan Gillespie
Dearest Dot, Sorry for your great loss.Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Dear Dot, Landon and Susan,
Dan was always one of Harry Clarke’s favorite people for his talent, integrity and humanity. What a wonderful friend to the Clarkes and to the people of WNC! He left each of you a priceless legacy. We are grateful we knew and loved Dan and are inspired by the way he conducted his fight with cancer. Patsy and Bruce look forward to hugging you on Monday. Bruce, Diana and Patsy Clarke
I want to say what it has meant to me, knowing Dan and you, Dot, and your family. Traveling with you and Dan, when we went in our motorhomes north to Maine, then took the ferry over to Nova Scotia and enjoyed that wonderful country and its Scottish music that we loved so much. Then on to Prince Edward Island and the sand beach where you took off your shoes, Dot, and danced in the red sand there. We didn’t like Halifax, b/c it was so blustery and cold and the highway signs didn’t help us navigate our way very well. We saw Hopewell Rocks, where the greatest tide change in the world, occurs, rising to 45 feet in just a few hours. Remember when we watched the tide change from a restaurant deck high above? Dan chose the lobster that would be cooked for his dinner, and you felt sorry for it?
Thank you for being in my life. You have made such a difference. People like Dan don’t come into your life very often, and when they do, they (I) am certainly blessed. My love, Penny
Dot, I am so sorry to hear about Dan’s passing. I know that God’s love will help ease the pain and sadness you are feeling. Take care.
Dot, Landon & Karen, Susan & Frank,
You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Dan was always so proud of his family. You have certainly honored him by the love and care you gave Dan throughtout his illness.
Dot, Landon, Susan and extended family:
May God’s peace be with you during this time. I will be praying for you all to have His peace to sustain you, His strength to help you and His guidance to lead you.
Dan was a good man and I have many fond memories of him, especially during the time period when my mother worked for him. I always got a chuckle out of such a tall man riding on that little Ford tractor (when he would come over to get hay near my Dad’s house). Whether Dan knew it or not, he was a part in helping me understand my need to get a college degree.. especially after walking behind those hay trucks for several hours. 🙂
In Christ,
Daryl, Cynthia and Abby Sampson
Dear Dot, Landon and Susan….Our Thoughts and prayers have been with all of you over these months. We cherish our last visit with Dan at Southern States, getting updated on the family and learning which was no surprise that he was still tending to the latest livestock project after all these years. His courage and positive attitude were inspirational. We will think of him with fondness as we do with all of you. We wish you comfort in this difficult time. Bill and Linda Reck..Merrie Smathers
I was so sorry to hear about your loss. I worked with Dan at Taylor Instrument many years ago. He was a great friend and I’m sure will be missed by many. May all the special memories give you comfort in the days to come.
Jean Graham
Dear Dot, Landon and Susan, I worked for Dan many years ago. He was a very remarkable person, and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of sorrow.
The Rogers Family. (Joe, Stephanie and Jessica)
The Rice Family. (Teri, Mary and Jeames)
We are so very sorry to hear of Dans’ passing.He was a life long friend and will be missed very much.Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Mr.& Mrs. Ray Buckner & Family
I wanted to say sorry for your loss.I wanted to let you know that your family is in our prayers.I remember your dad as a great friend and person.
Bryan Pate & Family