Former Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Gerald Grimes Passes Away at 82

Former Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Gerald Grimes passed away this month at the age of 82.

Grimes was appointed as Oklahoma’s Eighth Insurance Commissioner in 1975. He served in the role for 16 years.

Grimes was born in the Capitol Hill area of Oklahoma City. He graduated from Southeast High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Grimes began his career in the insurance industry with The Hartford Insurance Company in Oklahoma City, according to his obituary.

In 1970 he joined the Oklahoma Insurance Department.

Among Grimes’ most important legislative achievements as Insurance Commissioner was the passage of guaranty fund laws that protected consumers should their insurance company become insolvent, his obituary said.

“A native of Oklahoma City, Gerald devoted 16 years to public service as the 8th Insurance Commissioner, leaving an enduring mark on Oklahoma,” Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said. “His legislative triumphs, notably the guaranty fund laws, and his unwavering dedication to consumer protection played a pivotal role in securing fairness and justice for many Oklahomans in their interactions with insurance companies.”

Mulready credited Gerald for refining insurance laws to provide enhanced safeguards for consumers.

“Beyond his notable professional contributions, Gerald’s legacy thrives through the individuals he mentored,” Mulready said.

Topics Oklahoma