Harry James Grim

Harry James Grim passed away on October 11, 2025 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Mourning his passing are his loving and devoted children Cori Murphey (Rob) and Derek Grim and grandchildren Erin and Ryan Murphey.

Harry was born on November 15, 1934, at home in Washingtonville, Ohio to the late William and Elta Grim. He had two older brothers, Bill and Leroy, who preceded him in death.

Harry grew up in Ohio, near his extended family. After graduating from Leetonia High School, he attended Kent State University where he earned a B.S. in Industrial Technology, with Honors. He was a Distinguished ROTC graduate and was commissioned as a 2Lt in the United States Air Force in 1957.

He earned his Navigator wings in 1958 and completed advanced training to become an Electronic Warfare Officer. While at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, 1959-1965, he flew 2000 hours in the B-52, earning Senior Navigator Wings.

During his time at Eglin, he met the beautiful Darleen Magee Kaske, and on June 4, 1964, they were wed at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Shalimar, FL. The couple made their home in Fort Walton Beach, FL; Dayton, OH; Torrance, CA; Philippine Islands; and Dayton, OH, again before settling permanently in the Fort Walton Beach area in the mid-70s.

The Air Force Institute of Technology selected Harry to attend the University of Southern California from 1965-1966, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management. Harry and Darleen loved their time in the Los Angeles area and welcomed their first child, daughter Cori, during this time.

Harry continued his career at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 1966-1969, where he managed programs to procure electronic warfare equipment for the B-52, F-105, F-4, and EB-66 aircraft. Harry and Darleen’s son Derek was born in 1968. The young family transferred to Clark AFB, Philippines 1969-1970 where Harry returned to the B-52, flying combat missions in Southeast Asia.

They returned to Wright-Patterson AFB where Harry spent time in the Electronic Warfare System Program Office before training as a Fire Control Officer for the AC-130 Spectre Gunship. He joined the 16th Special Operations Squadron in Korat, Thailand 1974-1976 where he flew in combat missions as the Vietnam War drew to a close. As the 16 SOS transitioned to home base at Hurlburt AFB, FL, Harry was glad for the opportunity to return to Fort Walton Beach.

After almost twenty-two years in the USAF, Harry retired in 1978. Throughout his life, he was most proud of his career in the Air Force. He enjoyed telling people that he had flown on both the B-52G and AC-130 “First Lady” that are on display at the Air Force Armament Museum.

After his retirement, Harry and Darleen invested in real estate, and they established a thriving rental business, operating HG Condos on Okaloosa Island for many years. They made the lives better for countless stray island cats - feeding, catching, and socializing them before finding good homes for them.

Harry and Darleen explored the world together during vacations and in their second retirement. They especially loved long cruises. They experienced their share of life’s ups and downs during their fifty-two years together, from which an especially deep and abiding love for each other grew. Harry was heartbroken by Darleen's passing in 2016.

During the past decade, Harry's health problems grew, and he was also plagued by chronic back pain, which ultimately caused him to lose his ability to walk. Through it all, he was tirelessly supported and cared for by his daughter Cori and his son-in-law Rob.

A celebration of life for both Harry and Darleen will be held in the future, when they are laid to rest together at Beal Memorial Cemetery very near the home they built in their first year of marriage.