Donald Olan Grimes

Donald Olan Grimes, age 76, passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at his home in Douglas, AL. Olan was born October 12, 1949, the first-born child of the late Clyde and Audry Grimes. He graduated from Douglas High School in 1968. In 1971, he married Joan Holaway of Arab, AL and graduated from Auburn University in 1973. He and Joan resided in the Alabama communities of Auburn, Prattville and Huntsville, before moving back to Sand Mountain to the Grimes family farm. Olan was proud to have served his country in the Army National Guard from 1972 until 1984. Olan was a lifelong farmer, a businessman, an entrepreneur and a man with a big, kind and generous heart. His love for agriculture and the growing of crops and animals ran deep in his blood and he took great pride in caring for the land and for all those that crossed his pathway. His achievements in agriculture led him to be a graduate of the Class 1 Alabama Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Development Program in1986. He became one of the largest hog producers in the state of Alabama and was inducted into the National Pork Producers Hall of Fame. As pork production changed, Olan’s entrepreneurial and service spirit led him to try other adventures such as shrimp farming, sales, seeking political offices and becoming an owner/operator of the Douglas Café. He closed the café in 2010 and retired to his large garden, where “Poppa” enjoyed sharing produce to the community and his knowledge to his grandchildren. Olan experienced many health challenges his last few years but his life was enriched and sustained by his loving wife and family as he fought each challenge. Olan was elected and served on the Marshall County School Board for twelve years, always being civic minded, even running for Alabama House of Representatives and State Senate. Most importantly, Olan was a man of faith, a member of Bethany Baptist Church, where he and Joan attended with their children. He is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, Joan Grimes, two daughters, Janna (John) Gladden, of Albertville, AL and Holleigh (Zach) Upchurch of Carthage, TN, one son, Scott Grimes, of Arab, AL. Grandchildren: Grayson Gladden, Hudson Gladden, Kennedy Gladden, Tynleigh Upchurch, Turner Upchurch, Mille Upchurch, Haleigh (Charlie) Harbison, Sydney Grimes and Ethan Grimes. Great grandchildren: Payne Allen Harbison and Lilah Joan Harbison, one brother, Andy (Cindy) Grimes and one sister, Connie (Bill) Kuecker, nephews, cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Audry Grimes and a brother, Thomas Grimes. In Lieu of Flowers family request memorial donation be sent to St. Judes Hospital. A visitation will be held Saturday August 8, 2026 at Adams Brown Service Funeral Home from 5:00PM - 7:00PM. Funeral will take place at Bethany Baptist Church in Horton, Al on Sunday August 9, 2026 at 2:00PM with burial to follow at New Hope Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Boaz. Al

Donald Olan Grimes

October 12, 1949 - August 6, 2026