Randy says it’s last call! Randall D. Grimes passed away on January 21, 2023. A memorial service will be held at Melby Funeral Home on February 4, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at The BarN (6935 Mound View Road, Platteville) immediately following the service from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. The Melby Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com. Memorials may be made to the Randy Grimes Memorial Fund in order to establish a scholarship for budding entrepreneurs.
How do you sum up the legend of Randy Grimes in only a few paragraphs? You abbreviate to protect the innocent and maybe some less than innocent... Over the last 36 years, Randy had become a staple of the community, and his anthology includes the likes of random horses in bars, mischievous napkin plans, and bowling misadventures. It goes without saying that it’s up to you, the reader, to cherish these memories and carry these legends on.
Randy was born on February 16, 1959, to Joe and Edith (Murphy) Grimes. He joined his brothers, Jerry, Ron, Ted and Doug who thoroughly entertained the Chestnut/Division neighborhood for many years, or thoroughly terrorized depending on who you ask. If you know about the “Palisade Lounge”, then nothing more needs to be said.
After graduating from Platteville High School in 1977, he worked for his brother Ted at Ted’s Place. In 1986, he purchased the bar; and in 1987 changed it to The Windsor Food and Spirits. After growing the bar and adding a full kitchen, he had a successful supper club for many years. Randy thanks Lynn Jenkins (for her patience), Savage (for his talent), Scott Floerke (for his culinary skills), and all of his employees for their dedication over the years. If you ever had his prime rib and clam chowder soup in the bread bowl – you won’t forget it. In 2007 he transitioned the restaurant to Chicago’s Best and enjoyed a new chapter of the restaurant business. After a fire destroyed the restaurant on August 25, 2012, he took his management and people skills to the University Wisconsin – Platteville and worked with Dining Services until his health issues forced him into early retirement in the fall of 2022.
Friends and camaraderie were the defining goals of his life. He was a proud former member of various community organizations including the Elks Lodge and the Platteville Fire Department. He thoroughly enjoyed the numerous bowling leagues (the ABC Bowling Tournament stories are epic). He was also a proud member of the Platteville Golf and Country Club, having served on the Board of Directors and, of course, in the kitchen.
He is survived by his wife, Carol Campbell, his step-children, Nicholas Campbell and Haley Romanek (Dakota Wilson). He is further survived by his brothers, Jerry (Velma), Ted (Shelly) and Doug and countless friends. He is also survived by his former wife, Judy Downs, and her children Kaitlin Harty, Raymond Downs, and Michael Downs. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Ron, his sister-in-law Linda, his nephew Corey, and friends who are waiting with a beer and a story.
The family wishes to thank Agrace Hospice (Jessica, Bryanna, Olivia and Els), Michelle Hauser, and Dr. Lisa Lepeak for their compassion and support throughout his cancer fight. We also wish to thank every one of his friends – you all played important parts in his story (some can be shared and some probably shouldn’t). Raise your glass.
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