Timothy James Grinnell

Former Alaska resident Timothy James Grinnell, 52, of Cedar City, Utah, died Feb. 23, 2011, from complications of diabetes.

He was born to James and Patricia Grinnell in Lansing, Mich., on April 13, 1958. The family moved to Alaska in July 1969. Tim graduated Palmer High School and attended Rick’s College in Idaho. Tim later completed a bachelor’s and master’s degree in environmental safety. He retired from the Bureau of Land Management in Fairbanks.

Tim loved to tease and pull pranks on his family. One time after being left with Mandy for the first time, mom came home and while changing a diaper found a “Hi Mom” written on her behind. Tim enjoyed hunting and fishing and didn’t give his brother in-law Chris any credit when he joined the family because he didn’t do either; it wasn’t until he was made an uncle for the first time that Chris was given any “points.” His sense of humor and wit will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents James and Patricia Grinnell and one grandson, Grayson Sundgren.

Tim is survived by his wife of six years, Fe, who carefully cared for him throughout his long illness; children Mandy Grinnell, Wyndi (Don) Sundgren of Palmer, and Jeremiah (Kelesie) Grinnell of Fort Greely, Colo.; sisters Cynthia (Christopher) Thornlow of Palmer and Vicki (Gary) Sherman of Chugiak; grandchildren Cammie and Chloe Sundgren of Palmer, and Donald Grinnell of Utah; nieces and nephews James (Amber) Thornlow of Palmer, Jared Thornlow of Calif., Christian Sherman, and Gregory (Meredith) Sherman of Chugiak; and first wife Karla Grinnell of Palmer.

A memorial service is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., March 1 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Palmer.