GhLinks Media
Steve Grindstaff, a well-known car salesman and the founder of Grindstaff Automotive Group, has died, his family announced on Monday, December 23, 2024.
The news was shared by his ex wife, Candace Grindstaff, in a Facebook post. “My former husband, Steve Grindstaff, passed away early this morning,” she wrote.
No details about the cause of his death were disclosed.
Grindstaff, often called “The Boss,” was a pioneer in the car sales industry. He started Grindstaff Automotive Group in 1987, growing it into one of the top dealerships in the United States.
At its peak, the group managed 14 dealerships across Elizabethton, Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City.
The company currently operates five franchises, including Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Kia. Grindstaff stepped down as President and COO in 2019, handing the reins to his wife, Ashley Grindstaff.
At the time of his death, Grindstaff’s net worth was estimated at $10 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Tributes have poured in from colleagues, employees, and friends who remembered Grindstaff for his hard work and generosity.
One person wrote on social media, “Rest in peace to the Automotive Pioneer and my former boss Steve Grindstaff Sr. He was an amazing man who taught me a lot in the car business. May his family find comfort during this terrible time.”
