We're writing today with overwhelming sadness at the loss of our dearest friend, Duane Grimes. He was taken off life support yesterday and passed away at 1:17 a.m. this morning.
We still are in shock with everything that has happened. He had been so healthy and strong (his only hospital stay was this year when he had surgery...not bad for someone a few months shy of 80 years old).
The guys were scheduled to sing in Benton Harbor on Sunday morning. Chuck called Duane, as he always did, to let him know they were on the way. He was in great spirits and told Chuck he'd be ready. We believe, as was his usual way, that he waited a few minutes and then went downstairs to wait. When the bus pulled up, the first thing everyone saw was his suit bag and other stuff laying on the sidewalk. Then we saw him slumped in the doorway. Jeff, being an RN, jumped off the bus to help. He saw that he had no pulse and started CPR. He and Jerry worked over him until the paramedics arrived and were able to get a faint heartbeat. By the time he reached the hospital he had been put on a ventilator. His heart was working but he was unable to breathe on his own. There was extensive damage done to his brain due to lack of oxygen and the family were asked to make the decision last night about whether to keep him on life support or not. The difficult decision was made knowing that Duane would not have wanted to be kept alive if there was no chance of any quality of life or the ability to keep singing for the Lord. Now we know that he is really singing for the Lord.
He just told us during our concert at the Pix on Aug. 9th that this month was his 50th anniversary of singing gospel music.
Please keep the Grimes family, Duane's extended Royalheirs family and all who loved him in your prayers. We will post the funeral arrangements as soon as they are available.
posted by The Royalheirs @ 7:06 AM
4 Comments:
Our hearts go out to the group and all of Duane's family. What a shock, but how wonderful to know that he is singing in the biggest and best choir of them all! Our prayers are with you during the coming weeks. God bless you all.
Dave and Carole Price
former Calvarymen and current Joyful Sounds Quartet member
I've come to know and love Duane over these past years having opportunities to sing with him and all of you Royalheirs. Duane was first class "all the way". From the way he sung, to the way he presented himself onstage as well as off stage. He always made time to talk with everyone and always had a smile on his face. Duane truly knew the One who gave him the mighty talent to sing, and sing he did !! 50 years of singing Gospel music. Praise the Lord ! And now, Duane is singing in the mighty presence of God. I will miss him, but I know that we will be with him a whole lot longer than we will be without him. I'm praying for Duane's family and all of the Royalheirs right now. May God pour His grace and comfort to all of you in these days.
I love you all,
Dennis Gwizdala
Duane was a great person and he was like a third grandpa to me. I had lots of fun times with him and I loved him a lot! It makes me want to cry when I remember seeing him laying on the ground like that in front of the apartment complex. But I know he is in Heaven singing with god and thee angels and having fun!
Love you all,
Taylor Hawks
I have only been with the Royalheirs 2 1/2 years, but they all are part of my family. You can't spend the amount of time together that we do without a close bond. Duane inspired all of us. His dedication, his love for music, and his resilience was incredible. I am amazed at the mark Duane has left in my life in that short amount of time. I loved to hear him talk to Chuck about his experiences with the Calvarymen, The Royalheirs, and his family. I was honored to even share the stage with him. He also had a huge impact on my wife and kids too they all looked up to him. Duane will be sadly missed, but he has reached the goal of all Christians. Duane you made it first and we will see you soon.
All our Love,
Jeff, Kory, Taylor, Hannah, and Noah Hawks
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