Richard Wilmot Grammer's Obituary
Richard Wilmot Grammer, 92, passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family on April 2, 2025 at Jordan River Memory Care in Collierville, Tennessee. He lived in Bartlett, Tennessee for 23 years and grew up in Illinois. He was married to Dovie Ann Grammer for 66 years and she preceded him in death on November 19, 2021. They met on a blind date, not long after he joined the United States Air Force and married a few months later.
Richard, fondly known as "Dick" was born to Eugene and Mary Alice Grammer on September 11, 1932 in Kinderhook, Illinois. He was one of five children, Richard is survived by Robert Grammer, 88, who lives in Dallas, Texas. The other siblings that preceded Richard in death were Arnold Brown, Emily Jean, Robert Fantz and Billy Sam Grammer. He is survived by his daughter, Marcia Kaye O'Brien (Fred), grandchildren Robin Ann McCown (Cameron) and Logan Wilmot Chmura (Kaitlyn). For the past four+ years, his great-grandchildren, Cora Joyce (4 years old) and Caleb Cameron McCown {9 months old), have brought immense joy to his life. Richard was very active in the lives of his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren and loved being with them, whether it was swinging, working a puzzle/games or reading books, just to name a few. After he became confined to a wheelchair in 2023, Cora could push him around at the age of 3 and was so proud of herself being able to do that and help "granddad" in any way she could.
Richard served his country for 20 years in the United States Air Force. MSgt Grammer mainly worked with the pilots, scheduling their flights and doing other tasks that needed to be done. He has always been very patriotic and was thankful that his family could travel with him to most of his assignments. They lived several places in the United States, usually for two year assignments and also lived in Guam. He served a year in the Vietnam war in Saigon, and retired with honors after 20 years of service. About a year later, he was hired by the Social Security Administration in Memphis as a claims representative and retired from that job after 20 years service. He would sometimes tell others that he was a "double dipper", since he received retirement checks from both the Air Force and Civil Service with Social Security. In both jobs, his coworkers highly respected him and spoke very highly of him, for being such a hard worker and caring person.
Richard and Dovie were members of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis and faithful members of the Encouragers Sunday School class. They were a close knit group and kept in touch with each other, joined together by a deep love and devotion for Jesus Christ.
As far as interests that Richard had, it would be bowling and sports of all kinds. He especially enjoyed watching the Memphis Grizzlies and college basketball. Whenever the newspaper was delivered at home (many years ago), he would remove the sports section first and catch up on the latest sports news. He also thoroughly enjoyed bowling and bowled on the senior league in Bartlett for many years. At home, he enjoyed being outside and working in the yard with Dovie, making their yard always looking pristinely beautiful. He was very social and enjoyed chatting with his neighbors, making lasting friendships. Richard will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He was a very positive person that was a joy to know. After his long life on earth, he is finally in his heavenly home in the presence of our Lord.
To view the service live, please click the following link: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/northstar/111665/hash:4E0338610B980F0F
Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Where Memphis comes to remember, since 1924.”
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