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Alvin Glen Grim, 86, of La Junta, passed away June 3, 2025, in Pueblo. He was born in Berryville, Arkansas, September 10, 1938, at home, to Dulcia (Bradford) and Thomas Vineyard Grim. “TV Grim” was his nickname. 

His parents were farming the land near Berryville, Arkansas. When Alvin was young, his parents moved the family to Coolidge, Kansas. His father began working odd jobs in Coolidge, mostly farming jobs. He also worked for the Coolidge school as a maintenance worker. Alvin attended the Coolidge school, and graduated in 1956 with a Kansas high school diploma.

Alvin always had an interest in cars, and how cars worked. After high school, Alvin attended Fort Hays State University studying automotive mechanics and engineering. An interesting thing happened when he turned in his essay on cars. He wrote about the future of automobiles. He predicted cars would be self-driving. His teacher gave him a grade of C because it was an outlandish idea. Alvin always got the last laugh.

Moving forward a year, Alvin came back to Coolidge to do odd jobs. He took a part-time job on a local farm north of Holly. He was working for Edwin Reinert when he met his first wife, Karen Reinert. They were married in Towner October 28, 1958.

Alvin worked different jobs for a couple of years. He was drafted into the military in 1960. He served in Germany for two years. It was there that Alvin began a life of many travels. He took in many amazing German sites, and visited Holland. He made many good friends there. As Alvin was honorably discharged in 1962, his ship was headed towards New York when it took a turn. Alvin said the temperatures were getting warmer and warmer. Soon the guys who were homebound were handed back their military gear. His ship was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis. He said he made it for two years without direct combat, and he couldn’t believe how close the US was to nuclear war as he was headed towards his freedom back in Kansas. This was just the first in a multitude of experiences he had in his life span of travels and stories to share.

When Alvin returned from the military, he had a mission to find the best job for him to develop his lifetime career. He spent time working for a seismograph crew in Sheridan Lake and Moab, Utah. After a couple of years, he started looking for a job closer to Coolidge. His father in-law, Edwin Reinert, was good friends with Preston Burtis, of Garden City, Kansas, who was willing to give Alvin a job opportunity in parts and service in the local Ford Motor Company. His love for cars was turning into a lucrative career.

In 1972, Alvin took a job at the Garden City International Harvester Company. He began a life of sales, and made many friends. In 1977, Alvin decided to open his own business called G & A Parts, which was a big dream for him as well. He ran the business with a partner named Glen Suderman of Garden City, Kansas. He loved the independence. It was while running this business, Alvin added a car sales lot. He had a love for meeting people, and he was called Honest Abe. He even looked like Abe Lincoln. Everywhere the family went, Alvin would run into people he was acquainted with. People would walk up to him in restaurants, or shopping malls, and say, “Aren’t you Alvin Grim?”

In the early 1980s, Alvin decided to move the family to Lake George, Colorado. He bought Gay’s General Store in Lake George in 1983. While running the store, Alvin’s love for cars continued. He got his sales license and opened Honest Abe’s Auto Sales on Iowa Street in Colorado Springs. It was there he met Rose Grim. Alvin and Rose both loved to travel around to buy used cars, and often stopped off at flea markets and antique stores. They also opened Adam’s Wrecking in Colorado Springs.

In 1988, Alvin sold the car lot. Eventually, after living in Lake George for a few years, Alvin and Rose relocated to La Junta. Alvin began working for Adam’s Salvage in the 1990s. He made many friends and acquaintances. 

He loved people. He loved to talk, and he loved to share his stories. In the 2000s, Alvin began to help Rose with her booth at Junction 50 in La Junta. They had a love for restoring and collecting antiques. Alvin was blessed to have a boss at Adam’s salvage who really cared for him. Les always looked out for him over the last 10 years. 

Alvin and Rose loved their independence they had while living in La Junta. They made many more wonderful acquaintances over the last 20 years. The one thing Alvin and Rose desired was to live their lives as they chose. Together, they did that with a lot of love for each other and their blended families. They were both blessed to have each other. They did not desire the riches of the world, but they did enjoy the blessing of being rich in spirit. 

Alvin developed a love for his true salvation in Jesus Christ Our Lord. He attended the First Christian Church in La Junta. Alvin’s motto for the last 10 years was, “What would Jesus want from me?” Alvin lived his life like a true Disciple of Christ. He always tried to let Jesus take the wheel. He loved God’s people, and they in return loved him.

Alvin is survived by his children, Arlan Grim of Garden City, Kansas and former daughter-in-law, Angella Grim; Glenda (Max) Owen of Garden City, and Shawn (Kris) Griffy of Garden City; step-children, Cynthia Beck of Dumfries, Virginia; Michael Huston of Denver, and William Mize of Canon City; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Rose Grim; first wife, Karen Grim; and his parents.

Memorial services will be held June 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel in La Junta, with Pastor Ted Williams officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory.