Stephen Grimes Biography

Stephen Grimes was an American lawyer and jurist who served as a justice of the Florida Supreme Court from 1987 to 1996. In addition,  from 1994 to 1996, he served as Chief Justice.

Stephen Grimes Career

Peoria, Illinois is his native home. He attended the University of Florida where he graduated proudly with a law degree in 1950. In addition, he also earned his LL.B. from the University of Florida Law School in 1954.

From 1951 to 1953, he served in the United States Navy before he relocated to Bartow, Florida where he joined the Holland & Knight law firm. Additionally, while he was in the firm, he served as the head of its litigation department. In 1966, he was part of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Bar Association where he served as its president prior to becoming a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1971.

Furthermore, in October 1973 his judicial career began as he was appointed to the Florida Second District Court of Appeal prior to serving as chief judge from 1978–1980. He also served as the chair of the Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges from 1978–80. In addition, he was a member of the Florida Bar Tort Litigation Review Commission, the Florida Council on Criminal Justice, the Florida Supreme Court Article V Review Commission, and the Florida Supreme Court Appellate Structure Commission.

He has also served as vice-chair of; the Florida Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases, and the Florida Appellate Rules Committee. In addition, he has served as the chair of the Florida Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases for a period of two years. Furthermore,  from 1983 to 1986, he served as a member of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission, and for two years he was also its vice-chair.

On January 30, 1987, he was appointed by Florida Governor Bob Martinez the Florida Supreme Court. In 1994, he became Chair of the Article V Task Force and served as a faculty member of the Florida Judicial College. In addition, he was selected on April 21, 1994, by the court as Chief Justice and served till May 31, 1996, when he left the court due to mandatory retirement provisions in the Florida Constitution.

Stephen Grimes Age

Grimes was 93 years old as of 2021. He was born on November 17, 1927, in Peoria, Illinois, United States. He celebrated his birthday on the 17th of November every year.

Stephen Grimes Height and Weight

Grimes stood at a height of 5 feet 11 inches tall. However, information about his weight was unknown to the public.

Stephen Grimes Family

Grimes’ father was known as Henry H while his mother’s name was June K. Grimes. However, he has not disclosed the names of his siblings as he likes to keep his personal life private.

Stephen Grimes Wife and Children

Grimes was married to Fay Fulghum in 1951, who is a Lakeland native whom he met while still in college. Together the couple has been blessed with four daughters whom they named Gay, Mary June, Sue, and Sheri. In addition, he also has nine grandchildren.

Stephen Grimes Death

Grimes passed on September 10, 2021, in Tallahassee, Florida, the United States at the age of 93. However, it has not been stated the cause of his death.