By Morgan Harvey
Intern

Edward C. “Babe” Grissom III has moved from Grissom Funeral Home and Crematory in Kissimmee to a new position down the street at the Conrad & Thompson Funeral Home.

Conrad & Thompson welcomed the third-generation funeral director with 41 years of experience on June 1. As the former co-owner and general manager of Grissom Funeral Home, Grissom has a lifetime of experience to offer.

“I sit in with the families. I help with the funerals. This is all I've ever done since I was so little I couldn't see over the dashboard,” Grissom said.

Grissom is the grandson of Edward C. Grissom Sr. and Katherine B. Grissom, who founded their funeral home in 1926. Grissom ran the business with his father until 21 years ago. After selling the funeral home, Grissom worked closely with the new owners for 16 years before leaving.

As Conrad & Thompson’s new funeral director, Grissom meets with families on an as-needed basis and takes care of their pre-arrangement needs. He brings with him generations of families that rely exclusively on his services.

“It's not about making money, it’s about serving the public. It's 24-7. No days off, no weekends off, no nights off.  We answer the phone at night. We never take off,” Grissom said. “Everybody knows I'm always available.”

Grissom is active in various Kissimmee/ St. Cloud groups, including: the First Baptist Church of Kissimmee; Orange Blossom Lodge 80, F. & A.M., Kissimmee; Scottish Rite and York Rite bodies; Bahia Shrine Temple, Orlando; Kissimmee Elks Lodge 1873; Silver Spurs Riding Club; Jacob Summerlin Camp 1516; and Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Conrad & Thompson Funeral Home officials said they are very pleased with Grissom joining them as a funeral director. That group includes Roger C. Thompson, C. Michael Relyea and William R. Cool. Together, the directors have more than 160 years of experience to offer the community.

“We are extremely glad that we have Babe here now,” Relyea, a managing partner at the funeral home, said.

Conrad & Thompson was founded in 1940 on Mabbette Street in Kissimmee by Carl W. and Mae Hansell Riedel, as the Riedel Funeral Home and Ambulance Service. As the funeral home served more families, it soon outgrew its facilities and moved to its current location on Emmett Street.

In 1966, after the death of Carl Riedel, Coy Conrad and Roger Thompson purchased the funeral home, renaming it Conrad & Thompson Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

Grissom said he was very happy at his new post and would be available to the community anytime a funeral service is requested.

Conrad & Thompson is a full-service funeral home assisting the Kissimmee/St. Cloud community with pre-planning arrangements, burial services, cremation services, memorial services, county assistance programs and transfer services. The funeral home also can supply flowers, monuments and/or personalization items that can enhance any service.

The funeral home can be reached at 407-847-3188 or stop by at 511 Emmett St., Kissimmee.