Brentwood, TN, October 5, 2025
News Summary
E. Douglas Grindstaff, Sr., a notable leader in the corporate sector and community advocate, has died at the age of 85. Known for his groundbreaking work at Procter & Gamble, Grindstaff’s contributions transformed industries and made lasting impacts on business practices. He is remembered for innovative management strategies and his commitment to philanthropy, including efforts to combat drug use in Canada. His family requests donations to support cancer research in his memory.
Brentwood, Tennessee – E. Douglas Grindstaff, Sr., a distinguished leader and innovative force in the corporate world, passed away at the age of 85. His contributions to the fields of manufacturing, management, and community service left an indelible mark on countless lives and industries.
Grindstaff was born in 1940 in Knoxville, Tennessee, to parents J. Edward Grindstaff and Joey Ruth Pinyon Grindstaff. His family’s legacy in the region dates back to the early pioneers who settled here before Tennessee achieved statehood. He initiated his education in a humble two-room brick school that accommodated six grades, reflecting the rural roots that shaped his early life. He pursued higher education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering, becoming the first engineer to be elected as senior class president in the university’s history.
His professional journey began at Procter & Gamble Inc., where he showed remarkable adeptness in manufacturing management. Grindstaff ascended to the role of division manager and took charge of the food division, notably revitalizing the struggling Pringles Potato Chips brand. Under his stewardship, he astonishingly reduced production costs of Pringles by 70% over three years, ultimately transforming it into a major revenue-generating brand that brought in $2 billion in revenues before it was sold by P&G.
Grindstaff’s impact wasn’t limited to the food division. He oversaw 16 manufacturing plants within both laundry and cleaning divisions, collectively producing approximately $12 billion in annual value in today’s dollars. His leadership was characterized by a groundbreaking realignment of employee relations, which included renegotiating union contracts to eliminate outdated work rules, leading to a remarkable 43% reduction in product costs.
Following his tenure in the U.S., he was promoted to President of Procter & Gamble Canada, where he doubled the company’s profits in his first year and achieved an unprecedented doubling of the entire company’s revenues within four years. His tenure was notable for promoting five individuals to general manager positions, including the first female GM in the company’s history. Furthermore, he created the ENVIROPAC, a flat pouch concept that helped save millions of plastic bottles and earned him the title of Marketer of the Year in Canada.
In later years, Grindstaff managed P&G’s paper manufacturing division in Memphis, overseeing its divestiture for $1.2 billion — a significant gain from its $1 billion acquisition price. After leaving P&G, he became President and CEO of Genesco, a publicly traded company where he was recognized as Distinguished Marketer of the Year by the Academy of Marketing Science.
After retiring from corporate roles, Grindstaff dedicated himself to helping start-ups as an independent venture capital investor and corporate board member. He was deeply committed to charitable causes, notably creating a nonprofit in Canada to combat illegal drug use. This initiative became the largest of its kind in Canada and gained recognition from the Canadian Armed Forces and the Pan-American Health Organization for running multimillion-dollar ad campaigns against drug use.
In addition to his professional achievements, Grindstaff served two terms as Chairman of the Williamson County Republican Party. He is survived by his wife, Rose M. Grindstaff, and other family members, including four children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Rose experienced a fulfilling marriage of 30 years, during which they thrived in creating memorable family gatherings in their Brentwood home.
In his memory, the family requests donations to the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation to support cancer research. A gathering of family and friends will commemorate his life on October 11, 2025, at Woodlawn-Roesch Patton Funeral Home in Nashville, Tennessee.
FAQ
Who was E. Douglas Grindstaff?
E. Douglas Grindstaff, Sr. was a distinguished leader and innovator known for his work at Procter & Gamble and other corporate ventures.
How old was he at the time of his passing?
He passed away at the age of 85.
What was his educational background?
Grindstaff graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a BS in electrical engineering.
What were some of his notable achievements at Procter & Gamble?
He notably reduced Pringles’ product costs by 70%, doubled profits in the Canadian division, and created the ENVIROPAC concept.
What community work did he engage in after his corporate career?
He established a nonprofit to combat illegal drug use in Canada, which became the largest of its kind and received national recognition.
What is the family’s request in his memory?
The family requests donations to the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation to support cancer research.
Key Features of E. Douglas Grindstaff’s Legacy
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Age at Passing | 85 |
| Career Highlights | Revitalized Pringles, doubled profits in Canada, created ENVIROPAC |
| Community Contributions | Founded a nonprofit against illegal drug use in Canada |
| Family | Survived by wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Knox News Obituary for E. Douglas Grindstaff
- Wikipedia: Procter & Gamble
- WATE News
- Google Search: E. Douglas Grindstaff
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Manufacturing
- Knox News
Author: HERE Nashville
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