GRIMES, Debra D.

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Published Monday, June 13, 2011 - Debra D. Grimes, age 57, of Parker, passed away at her home June 6, 2011. She was born Feb. 2, 1954, in Winnemucca, Nev., to Darlene V. Patrick and Stan McGuire. A few years later, Darlene married Vernal R. Butcher, and he adopted Debra and her younger brother. Debra was an upbeat person who always liked to get the families together. She loved to sing, dance and water ski from an early age. She strongly believed in the family bond and loving framework that her mother, Darlene, had started. She was definitely a social butterfly who always brightened a room. She attended Bonneville High School in Roy, Utah, and worked as a Candy Striper when not in school. She moved up to Lone, Wash., graduating from Selkirk High School in May 1974. Working at a popular local restaurant as a waitress, she met Jerry F. Beacham. They married and had two children, Cody and Kyle. Debra moved down to Ogden, Utah, to be closer to her mother and father. Eventually in 1981, she moved to Lake Havasu City to join two of her sisters. In Havasu she began working as a prosthetic technician, helping disabled and amputees. Debra also worked as a waitress at night to support her two children. Eventually, her love for all types of activities would lead her to the love of her life. One night while bowling, she was introduced to Andrew P. Grimes, an avid bowler and owner of a construction company in Parker. They began to date and instantly fell in love. They married on Aug. 12, 1989, in Ogden, Utah. After getting married, Debra moved to Parker with her husband and began a career at Parker Unified School District. Working at Wallace Elementary, she worked with mentally and physically challenged children. Debra was a natural motivator and teacher. Unfortunately, after years of pain from numerous medical conditions she was forced to retire early. She continued to keep herself an active homemaker with crafts, home decorating and dedication to raising her two children. Debra is survived by her husband, Andrew Grimes, her two sons, Cody and Kyle Beacham; her daughter, Traci Grimes; her brothers, Phil, Ray, Robert and Val Butcher and Steve and Scott McGuire; her sisters, Cathy Bishop, Cheri Brown, Bonnie Madsen and Christy Ramos. Five grandchildren, Andrew, Kali, Julian and Reese Beacham, and Rhiannon Grimes. Even on her way out of the world, she was helping others as an organ donor. She will be dearly missed.