During the 2025 Emeritus College Holiday Market on December 2, Vicki Gillis, a Professor Emerita of Literacy at Clemson University, presented a Quilt of Valor to Larry Grimes, a fellow member and Professor Emeritus of Applied Economics and Statistics. This award not only honored Grimes for his military service in the Navy during the Vietnam War but also celebrated a long-standing friendship that traces back to their high school years.
The story of their connection is both intriguing and heartfelt. In the early 2000s, Gillis chaired a committee for one of her doctoral students, where she encountered Grimes, who had been a statistician on the committee. During their discussions, they discovered a shared history: Grimes had taken Gillis to a high school dance in the early 1960s. This serendipitous reunion sparked laughter and nostalgia during their committee meetings.
As time progressed, Gillis aimed to honor a friend from North Georgia College by awarding a Quilt of Valor. This friend inquired about someone he believed had taught at Clemson, leading Gillis to reconnect with Grimes, who had been his neighbor during their time as graduate students at Georgia. Their reconnection through email highlighted the winding paths their lives had taken since their youth.
Grimes shared his educational journey, beginning at North Georgia College, followed by a transfer to the University of Georgia. His studies were interrupted when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserves in August 1966, transitioning to active duty by December of that year. After serving honorably until October 1970, he completed his education with the help of the GI Bill, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Animal Genetics and Statistics.
Grimes’s military service saw him aboard various destroyers, where he traveled extensively, living up to the Navy’s motto, “Join the Navy and see the world.” He reflected on his experiences, stating, “I took seriously the saying ‘Join the Navy and see the world.’” After completing his Ph.D. at The Ohio State University in 1978, he returned to the South to join Clemson’s Experimental Statistics Department.
During his 28-year tenure, Grimes fostered numerous connections within the Clemson community. He retired in 2006, joining the Emeritus College, and continued to contribute to various academic roles until spring 2018. Grimes expressed gratitude for his career, stating, “That was a wonderful 40-year experience.”
Following retirement, Grimes and his wife, Marty, relocated to be closer to their family in North Carolina. Reflecting on the significance of the Quilt of Valor, Grimes emphasized its broader meaning: “It is a particular expression of thanks and recognition not only to me but to all veterans who were willing to set aside a few years of our own pursuits in service to our country.” He extended his appreciation to Gillis and her team of quilters, noting the fitting location of the presentation at a Clemson event.
The awarding of the Quilt of Valor to Larry Grimes serves as a reminder of the enduring bonds formed through shared experiences and the importance of acknowledging the sacrifices made by veterans.
