Obituary
Guest Book
1948
2017
John Michael Grinstead, age 68, of New London, Iowa, passed away in Colorado Springs on Monday, May 8, 2017 of sudden natural causes.
John was born in Burlington, Iowa on May 24, 1948 to the parents of Raymond Dee Grinstead and Helen May Watson Grinstead. John graduated from New London High school in 1966. After graduation, John enlisted as a machinist with the United States Navy which he proudly served his country from September 1967 to May 1971. After serving his 4 years, he served in the Navy Reserves from May 1971 to May 1973. During his tour with the Navy, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
Upon completion of his duties with the Navy in 1973, he worked at Champion Spark Plug in Burlington, Iowa from 1973 until he retired. While working at Champion Spark Plug, he attended Southeastern Community College where he earned his Associates degree in early modern history in 1982. After he discovered that retirement didn't suit him, he worked at Hazen Supply/Golden Furrow in Iowa for several years. In 2003, he moved closer to the Rockies and settled in Colorado Springs where he worked as a store manager for Fastenal.
John is known for his passionate convictions, enjoyed listening to music, reading, root beer, fishing, farming and spending time with his friends and family. He is known for unconditionally opening his heart and home to all that needed his assistance. He will be remembered for his love of his family and of his many beloved dogs.
His parents, Raymond Grinstead and Helen Grinstead, sisters Janet Graves and Gail Grinstead, brother Keith Grinstead and his beloved wife of 34 years, Donna Grinstead precede John in death. John is survived by his children, Rebeca Ernst, John W Grinstead, Jessi Lauth, Derek Wilson, Keven Wilson, and his grandchildren, Temperance and Acadia Grinstead, Clover Lauth and baby boy Lauth (due in August 2017), Parker and Ava Tran, and by his siblings, Peggy Jenkins of Las Vegas, Nevada, Sandy Anderson of Indianapolis, Indiana, Lorna Hempen of Las Vegas, Nevada, Gary Grinstead of Fort Madison, Iowa, and his Navy family and a large family of friends.
A small memorial service will be held at Swan-Law Funeral Home, 501 North Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903 on May 20, 2017 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been set up for his granddaughter, Clover Lauth, to assist with her medical needs associated with autism and help promote awareness. Please visit the following website for more details: https://www.gofundme.com/grandpalovesclover
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Swan-Law Funeral Directors.
4 Entries
May 17, 2017
Michael E. Vorwerk John RIP, you where one good guy, and I was proud to know you
May 16, 2017
Jeanine Jennings
May 14, 2017
Nancy Courtney
John, I met you in Kindergarten and we went all thru school together and I always had such respect for you as a nice, nice guy, always working, caring about others, etc. I'm so glad I was able to see you last September at our 50th class reunion and only wish we could've talked longer! May you rest in peace and know that you were loved and will be missed. Your friend and classmate
May 13, 2017
A life well lived, we will cherish the memories forever. Rest in peace big brother
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Swan-Law Funeral Directors501 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
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