Mark Adkins Grimes

Mark Adkins Grimes

1950-2019Grimes, Mark

Mark Adkins Grimes, 68, died Monday, September 2, 2019.

He leaves his wife of 47 years, Barbara (Smith); his son, Brian and his wife, Erin; his daughter, Erika; his four grandchildren, Jaxson, Raylee, Peighton, and Mason; his mother, Helen Elizabeth Grimes; siblings, Lynne and Robert and wife, Amy; and many other family and close friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Mark Lloyd Grimes, and his father, Robert W. Grimes.

Mark was born in Clinton, MO, to Bob and Liz Grimes on September 22, 1950. After graduating from Shawnee Mission East High School in 1968, Mark attended Kansas State University. He graduated in 1972 with a degree in Construction Management. He met his wife, Barb, at K-State and in December of 1972 they were married in Leavenworth, KS. He welcomed three children, Brian, Erika, and Mark during the years following their marriage and they were his pride and joy.

After graduating from Kansas State University, Mark began a life long career in Construction Management. He worked with Flintco for 26+ years retiring as president of the Oklahoma City office in 2014. During his years at Flintco, he had the opportunity to work on such projects as the Capitol Dome, Devon Tower, Civic Center, and the OKC Thunder Arena. Mark took pride in each and every project he had a part in and loved being a part of building the landmarks of OKC. In January 2012, he was recognized as AGC Builder of the Year.

Mark also invested in Oklahoma City through the years by volunteering with several organizations. He and his wife were chairs of the OKC Heart Ball and the Lymphoma and Leukemia Light the Night Walk. He also served on the board of the Oklahoma Arthritis Foundation.

Mark may have worked hard but he also knew how to have fun. He was the life of the party at every event he attended. Mark and Barb were the ultimate entertainers. Mark loved to spend time at the family cabin in Minnesota each summer. He enjoyed fishing, skiing, bathing in the lake, and spending time with family and friends. Mark was also a golfer and avid fan of Payne Stewart. He was often seen wearing his knickers during a round of golf. Mark was also a champion Scrabble player and could only be bested by his mother despite many others trying. Most of all, though, Mark was a sports fan. His love of the Kansas State Wildcats and OKC Thunder was apparent in everything from his apparel to his home. Purple was his favorite color!

A formal visitation will take place at Matthews Funeral Home on September 4th from 5-7 pm with a service the following day at St John the Baptist Church at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Alzheimer’s Association or American Heart Association.

8 thoughts on “Mark Adkins Grimes”

  1. I will not be able to attend the funeral because I will be out of the country, but my thoughts and prayers will be with Mark and the family.

    Mark was a great man, and will be missed until we all meet up again in heaven.

  2. Mark was a selfless and supportive leader. He worked hard and was inclusive. I know he had a positive impact on so many- he certainly did on me. He was a great and kind person of a stature- literally and metaphorically- one rarely has the gift of knowing – I am grateful to have known him

  3. Anita K Pearson

    Our hearts are saddened with the loss of this wonderful man. He will be missed by all who knew him. We are sending our sincere condolences to his family and friends. Jerry and Anita Pearson

  4. Bruce Van Huisen

    I will be unable to attend the services and want to share a somewhat quirky memory of the big guy. We used to play some pickup basketball and I’ll never forget one of the guys, who didn’t really know Mark, tell me after one of our sessions, “that dude has the sharpest elbows I’ve ever played against”! I will miss him but take solace knowing he’s back to being as sharp as ever.

  5. Mark was a wonderful man to work with and he was always very kind to me. I know he will be greatly missed.

  6. Misty Turley Thurman

    My heart just hurts for the Grimes family. Mark was one of the best and had a left a positive lasting impression on everyone he encountered. I still remember getting to ride in one of his beloved Corvette’s and the ‘fancy’ lunch he took me on to Denny’s so he could get his Sr. Discount. RIP sweet man.

  7. I would like to thank all of you who sent these wonderful messages. Mark was our first child, probably a bit spoiled, since it was 9 years before he had a sister and later a brother. His Mother

  8. steve.wiersema

    I worked with Mark for about 12 years before my retirement. He was a great leader and friend.

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