Jeffrey L. Grimes

Born on April 18, 1954, in Harrisburg, PA, Jeff, better known as Captain Jeff, grew up in Linglestown and graduated from Central Dauphin High School in 1972, where he played football.

Captain Jeff’s greatest love was the water. He spent his entire life on or by the sea. He loved to sail, scuba dive, fish, and boat. As a USCG-certified Captain, he was able to share his love of fishing with many people, young and old, and help families make countless “first catch” and “biggest catch” memories; he enjoyed taking them on special trips to see the ponies on Assateague Island and to get ice cream. The only title he wore more proudly than Captain was the title of Cappy, which was given to him when he became a grandfather. He spent countless hours fishing and boating with his precious grandbabies, instilling his love of the water into his next generation.

When he wasn’t chasing tight lines and calm seas, Captain Jeff served as a credit and finance manager. A well-respected and compassionate business leader, he dedicated most of his years to working at Cleveland Brothers Equipment Company and Mid Atlantic Machinery. He was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Hummelstown, most well-known as Chef Jeff, feeding hundreds of people at the church’s spaghetti dinners and pancake breakfasts; he also helped with the church’s youth group and participated in domestic missions trips. Captain Jeff will always be remembered as a big man, with an even bigger heart. He loved well, gave generously, and lived selflessly.

Captain Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Rodney and Bettie Lou (Kintzer) Grimes and his grandson, Jeffrey Buckwalter.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandra--with whom he would have celebrated 45 years of marriage in February--as well as his brother Craig (Eileen) Grimes, his daughters Megan (Andrew) MacNicol and Kelley (Curt) Buckwalter, and his most adored grandchildren, Addison, Emma and Caleb Buckwalter, and Peter and Abigail MacNicol. He also leaves behind his nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and many close friends he held dear to his heart.

A private celebration will be held at the convenience of the family in the new year.

In lieu of flowers, Captain Jeff would have loved for you to take the time to go out fishing with a loved one. If you would make a donation in the Captain’s honor, please consider donating to the Ocean City Reef Foundation, P.O. Box 1072, Ocean City, Maryland 21843,ocreeefs.org, to help ensure fertile fishing ground for many generations to come.