Mr. Howard Lee Grimes Jr., 63

Mr. Howard Lee Grimes Jr., 63, of McRae, formerly of Adel, passed away at his residence Oct. 28.
He was born Jan. 24, 1956, in Louisville, Kentucky, to the late Howard Lee Grimes Sr. and Louise Connell Grimes. Lee lived most of his life in Adel and the past five years in McRae. He was a member of First Baptist Church of McRae and was a retired band director with the Laurens County Board of Education.
Lee was a 1977 Summa Cum Laude Graduate of Troy State University where he played trumpet in the “Sound of the South” Marching, Reading (Symphony), and Symphonic Bands. Upon graduation he began his teaching career. Lee taught in the Telfair, Tattnall, Towns, Coffee, Jeff Davis and Laurens counties. After retiring from education, he worked in the private sector the remainder of his life.
During his tenure in Hazlehurst (1987-93), Grimes transformed the Yellow Jacket Marching Band, providing the foundations that would in time see the program grow into a state powerhouse. His passion for his students has been fondly recalled by band members from his era on social media.
Mr. Grimes is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Debbie and Johnny Lee of Folkston; nieces, MaeLeigh and Mike Lipes of Covington, Va., and Meagan Lee of Folkston; aunts Frances Maddox of Adel and Pat Connell of Valdosta; and a host of cousins.
Services were held Nov. 2 in the chapel of Boone Funeral Home in Adel with the Rev. Bill Marlette officiating. Interment was at Longbridge Cemetery in Berrien County.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.boonefunerals.com. Boone Funeral Home was in charge.