Name: Blount & Curry Funeral Home-MacDill Avenue
Address: Tampa, FL

Sara Grimes:
It is with great sorrow that I have to add this message to this page, especially after the decades Larry and I spent together. It is wonderful to see so many add their memories to this page.  I remember so many of you from the college days and years in Crawfordsville.
   We all met for a reason. When he needed that emergency operation in college, Larry’s doctor told me that my nagging the nurses late at night probably saved his life. After that midnight operation, he worked so hard to regain his strength for himself and for his team. He wanted to be there for his teammates. I remember the many late nights that we spent together working on his homework so he could be free for team travel the next day. Happily, he did graduate.  Those were the days. 
     He used that same strength to work through the difficulties that  he faced late in his life. He was blessed to have started his life with so many wonderful teammates who were also friends.
Thanks for the memories, Sara.

Larry Grimes
June 22, 1950  Crawfordsville, Indiana
May 26, 2021  Tampa,  Florida
In 1970, the MTU Huskies journeyed to Madison , Wisconsin to play the UW Badgers.  Although the Huskies were "blown out" of the game, it was very apparent Larry could have certainly have played as a starter in the Big Ten.  He remained loyal to D2 Michigan Tech, which was far from his hometown of Crawfordsville, Indiana.  He stayed for all four of his playing years.  His parents, who were extremely nice, traveled that distance to watch him play.
For all his obvious basketball prowess on the court, Larry was a humble and unassuming person.
He cared about his team mates and they cared about him. He led by example.  In later years, his charity work was inspirational. Many of his former team mates contributed to his efforts to  improve the lives of the less fortunate in other countries. 
He is truly one of the "good guys" of the world.   
Thank you Al Morrison

Larry Grimes
June 22, 1950  Crawfordsville, Indiana
May 26, 2021  Tampa, Florida
Larry Grimes enrolled at Michigan Technological University in the fall of 1968.
He was a member of Division 2 MTU Huskie basketball team for 4 years. 
 In those 4 years, he set the career scoring record for the   University which stood for 48.
He averaged 20 points per game his freshman year and 24.6 points per game for his career which is the current basketball record.
Veteran players on the 1968 MTU basketball team met Larry at the first basketball practice of that season.  Some noticed that he was watching them shoot the ball as the coache shad indicated to him, that they had good form on the jump shot.
That's nice they thought, a freshman learning from an upperclassman.  However, within a day or two, it became very apparent, who was the actual teacher (and it wasn't the veteran players.)
Larry played in the basketball era before the "ABA three point line was implemented in college basketball.  He and his team mates, however, did play in the era of basketball "hot pants" and the "Lew Alcindor" rule.  
He had one of the purest and quickest shooting strokes ever seen in college basketball.  It was estimated that his career scoring total would have been approximately 300 points higher if the 3 point field goal had been part of the game.
Later in life, when having difficulty with his arms, he quipped, "Maybe I shot the ball too much."
His shot selection (as was his sense of humor - he also told of the time he held Rick Mount of Lebanon (Indiana)   High School to 56 points.)  He was always well thought out and never did his team mates consider the Huskies.
It was a thing of beauty to watch his determination in working an opponent after securing a loose ball or offensive rebound with both "pump" fakes and a fake "drop step" followed by a 
"Wes Unseld" hip check and a mini "sky hook" to score.
Thank you Al Morison





Larry Grimes 
June 22, 1950   Crawfordsville, Indiana
May 26, 2021    Tampa, Florida
Sometimes, the unimaginable happens
Some times, there is no reason why...
   Larry, not only was one of the very best to wear an Athenian jersey, he was one of the best to play basketball in Montgomery County.
He is a member of the Montgomery County Basketball Hall of Fame.
He was a 3 year player and led his team in scoring in both his junior and senior year.
His 590 points (25ppg) his senior year, was the most in the non 3 point era of Athenians.
Larry went to Michigan Tech on a basketball scholarship.
His 2360 points (most prior to 3 point era) still stands as 2nd overall.
He still holds the record for:
 Most FG made at 897
Most FT made at 566
Most 30 point games at 30
After Michigan Tech, Larry had a try out with the Detroit Pistons.
Thank you Jerry Whalen




Larry was my childhood best buddy and teammate that I spent countless hours with perfecting our  jump shot at the local recreation center.  All the practice  at least worked wonders for one of us -Larry!  Larry was a great friend to me and my entire family!  So many great memories growing up with such an amazing man!  My life , like so many others, is better for knowing Larry! I am sure he is being welcomed in to heaven with open arms.  My sincere condolences and prayers to all the family!




OBITUARY

Larry Ray Grimes

June 22, 1950 – May 26, 2021

Blount & Curry Life Event Center

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