Warning Lites of St. Louis was started in 1958 by Jack and Dororthy Grinstead.  They began renting barricades and flashing warning lights out of their garage in Brentwood, Mo.  In the 50 plus years since, Jack and Dorothy have grown Warning Lites to what it is now. 

 

Jack was born in 1927 on a farm in a small town in Northeast Missouri called Williamstown.  Here is where the hard work, determination, and family values were instilled on him.  On his 18th birthday, Jack joined the Navy to help join his brother and his country in World War II.   After the war, Jack attended the University of Missouri at Rolla and graduated with an engineering degree.  After college he worked as a superintendent for Fruin Colnon, where he learned about construction and gained valuable on the job knowledge and experience.  In 1952, Jack met Dorothy and they wed after several months of dating.  They had their first child, Jonathon (Craig) in 1954.  In 1958, Jack was introduced to the road safety side of the construction business and decided to start his own company, called Warning Lites of St. Louis.  This same year Jack and Dorothy had their second son, Kevin. Dorothy still recalls delivering barricades when she was pregnant with Kevin!  Jack and Dorothy kept with the company through hard times for many years because they believed in Jack’s vision and belief.  They eventually moved their small company out of their garage and into its own brick and mortar location.  Warning Lites now employs 3 generations of the Grinstead family, along with several other valuable employees.  Jack was able to see the best years in Warning Lites history in 2014 and 2015, before his death in early 2016 at the age of 89.  Jack devoted his life to his business and his family.  Dorothy is still an active owner of Warning Lites, even though she gave up delivering barricades years ago!