LITTLE SWITZERLAND, N.C.— Howard Grindstaff, 87, of Little Switzerland, NC, passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at the CarePartners Solace Center, Asheville.
A native of Little Switzerland, he was a son of the late Merve and Carrie McKinney Grindstaff. He was also preceded in death by his son, Howard Grindstaff, Jr.
Mr. Grindstaff enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He served aboard the Escort Carrier USS Palau (CVE-122) as a member of the Ships Police.
Mr. Grindstaff performed in many motion pictures, made for TV movies, music videos, and TV commercials. Some notable movies were “The Last of the Mohicans (1992)”, “Loose Cannons (1990)” “The Journey of August King (1995)”, “Winter People (1989)”, and “The Fugitive (1993)”. He was a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
Surviving is his daughter, Sandra Buchanan (Nathan); grandson, Charles Aaron Cantrell; and his beloved life companion, Sharron Kwiatkowski.
Private graveside services were held at Burnett Cemetery, Little Switzerland.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mitchell County Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 308, Spruce Pine, NC 28777.