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Man on the yellow Harley to be remembered by fellow riders from across the nation

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Glenn Grimm was one of the few motorcycle enthusiasts in the Antelope Valley who rode a yellow Harley-Davidson. Glenn bought the bike after a 2005 accident "so that everyone would see it and no one would hit him again," his son said. [Photo courtesy Sally Grimm]
Glenn Grimm was one of the few motorcycle enthusiasts in the Antelope Valley who rode a yellow Harley-Davidson. Glenn bought the bike after a 2005 collision “so that everyone would see it and no one would hit him again,” his son said. [Photo courtesy Sally Grimm]
LANCASTER – Family members of a 69-year-old motorcycle enthusiast killed by a suspected drunken driver find it hard to accept that their loved one will never return home.

Glenn Arnold Grimm of Antelope Acres was an avid motorcyclist who participated in just about every charitable event and group ride for the Modified Motorcycle Association of California, his son John said.

Glenn even survived a previous collision in 2005, when a local woman ran a red light and “totaled his motorcycle,” according to John, who said his father was able to make it home after suffering torn ligaments in his right ankle.

Glenn (shown with wife, Sally Grimm) could get along with any type of personality, whether a doctor or a ditch digger. [Contributed]
Glenn (shown with his wife, Sally Grimm) could get along with any type of personality, his son said. [Contributed]
“To be on a run like he has been for the last 50 years now – with my mother sitting at home waiting for him, and having the shop door open for him like they always do every Sunday – it’s so hard to talk about and deal with right now, and it will continue to be for years,” John told The AV Times over the phone.

Glenn’s life was unexpectedly cut short Sunday, April 19, when a suspected drunken driver crashed his pickup truck into the back of Glenn’s 2005 Harley-Davidson as it was stopped at the intersection of 90th Street East and Avenue K in Lancaster.

Glenn (shown far left with his family) participated in numerous charitable events and group rides for the Modified Motorcycle Association of California. [Contributed]
Glenn (shown far left with his family) participated in numerous charitable events and group rides for the Modified Motorcycle Association of California. [Contributed]
The driver, 58-year-old Javier Guzman-Pena, was charged with Glenn’s murder after officials determined he was driving under the influence of alcohol – having a 0.08 percent blood alcohol content, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office reported. Guzman-Pena’s arraignment was continued to May 6, and he remains jailed on $1 million bail.

“We’ve been talking about how all of this has affected us,” John said. “You know, my father was not a drinker at all, and to die by a drunk – to have an accident and for it to be a drunk driver – it’s like the worst thing for us.”

Revealing further irony, John said his father retired to the Antelope Valley after working for the Budweiser plant in Van Nuys for 32 years as a bottler and loader for the trucks.

However, he said his father will always be known for attending motorcycle runs for a cause, where he would contribute time and money to such issues as child abuse, spouse abuse or cancer treatment.

And according to John, his father’s fellow riders and friends are coming in droves to pay their last respects to Glenn.

Glenn's life was unexpectedly cut short Sunday, April 19, after a suspected drunken driver crashed into him. [Luis Meza]
Glenn’s life was unexpectedly cut short Sunday, April 19, after a suspected drunken driver crashed into him. [Luis Meza]
“We have people coming in from Oklahoma, New York, Florida, Iowa, and a couple coming in from Perth, Australia, who he met on these motorcycle rides he’s gone to,” said John, who estimated that nearly 250 people will attend his father’s celebration of life event on Wednesday. “And since this news got out, it’s just been unimaginable how many people he’s come into contact with, making a difference in their lives – and the simplicity with how he does things. He could get along with any type of personality; whether a doctor or a ditch digger, he always held common ground with them. Growing up with a man like that is an incredible thing.”

Glenn was also known as probably one of the few motorcycle enthusiasts in the Antelope Valley who rode a yellow Harley-Davidson, his son added.

Since Glenn’s previous accident in 2005, he spent numerous months searching for a yellow Harley “so that everyone would see it and no one would hit him again,” his son said. “There’s just a loss of words for what happened – and we’re all still waiting for the motorcycle to pull into the driveway.”

A celebration of life service for Glenn Arnold Grimm will be held for family and friends on Wednesday, April 29. Although the place and time will not be publicized, John asked that those interested in attending the service contact him at 661-480-8338.

Additionally, a motorcycle association called BACA, Bikers Against Child Abuse, will attend the event to honor Glenn and raise donations for their local chapter.

Previous related stories:

Murder charge filed in Lancaster crash that killed motorcyclist

Motorcyclist killed in Lancaster crash, driver arrested for DUI

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About the author

Jim E. Winburn is freelance reporter covering news of public interest.
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8 comments for "Man on the yellow Harley to be remembered by fellow riders from across the nation"

  1. So to hear about your lost I go past the area everyday words can’t explain how I feel for the lost

  2. Amy I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I pray that you & your family find strength during this difficult time. I had a weird feeling last week when I first saw the story. Now, I see you, John and your family. I will keep you all in my prayers. Justice will prevail. I am still in the same place please let us know if there is anything we can do. This whole incident just makes me so upset but I will not go there while you all are grieving. I will keep my comments to myself . We are all thinking about you….So sorry…your ex co-worker’s are all praying for you.

  3. dear family, I worked in the warehouse with this precious man, your Dad, your husband, your grandfather, your father-in-law and friend to all he met. He was always one to give a smile and a good word. He was a joy to be around with a sweet laugh. I will miss Glenn also. I live in Colorado and just now heard of this tragedy . Forever in my heart, Fredda J Starr

  5. I knew he touched many lives, Including ours. Glenn never met a stranger
    He showed me that someone is truly good out there. He will be missed so much. We are so sorry for your wonderful family. I know he loved you all so much. Russ & I love you all very much.

  6. Glenn will always be remembered as the most easy going individual with a mission to make people feel comfortable whenever he was around,it was natural for Glenn to wander around and offer assistance if needed.You could not duplicate a man like Glenn; its just the low stress life Glenn led that made him unique amongst the lucky people who got to know him for years and the ones who met him in one of his friendly walkabouts. Once again buddy RIP I know your still looking down on us casting a positive light on all our daily activities. The Heiners 4/28/15

  7. As a supporter within our local B.A.C.A (Bikers Against Child Abuse), I would like to clarify that several of us will attend to pay our respects to the family, but we will not be asking for donations at this somber event (as the article stated). This day is only about the family, and mourning the loss of one of our brothers.

    Retro
    B.A.C.A. High Desert Chapter

    • Thank you for clarifying that, Retro. BACA is a great organization and has always exhibited class. I knew that the article must have gotten it wrong.