John Philip Groves

John Phillip Groves was born on September 14, 1942 in Tulsa, Oklahoma; the son of John William and Maxine Mae (Phillips) Groves. He was raised and attended school in Tulsa, graduating from Nathan Hale High School in 1961. Upon graduation from high school, John attended Oklahoma State University where he was a member of the Cowboy Marching Band. After completion of his education, John accepted employment as a car salesman with Conine Schwab Porsche Audi and later Precision Imports in Tulsa. He later accepted a position as sales manager for Spraker Volkswagen. While working at Spraker Volkswagen, John was involved significantly in automobile financing which led to his interest in mortgage banking. He then began a career as a mortgage banker working at numerous lending institutions in Tulsa and finally with MidFirst Bank. John was married to Mary Sue Thomas on November 10, 1972 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The couple made their initial home in Tulsa and then moved to Ridgemont Estates on Keystone Lake, near Cleveland. Later the couple returned to the Sand Springs area as they managed an apartment complex after Johnís retirement from the banking industry. John was an avid fisherman and golfer. He loved spending time outdoors and spent countless hours on the lake or golf course. He especially enjoyed fishing with his friends Gill Ogles and Mike Ludwig, along with his wife, Mary Sue and grandson, Ryan Fowler. He has caught large black bass in numerous lakes throughout the area but really liked fishing at Lake Guerro in Nuevo Padilla, Tamaulipas (180 miles south of the Texas border). He always dreamed of being a professional fisherman. As enthusiastic as he was about fishing, he had a strong love for the game of golf. His favorite courses in the area included White Hawk near Bixby and the Sand Springs Public Golf Course. He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing golf and teaching the basic skills of golf to them. He even attempted to qualify for the Senior Professional Golfers tour. Additionally, John had an eye for automobiles and enjoyed many beautiful cars throughout his life including a 1955 Thunderbird Convertible, Gold Corvette, Medium Blue Corvette, and a Red Jaguar XKE; ensuring that each vehicle was maintained in an immaculate condition. John was described by his family and friends as a thoughtful and loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. If he was involved in something it was usually at the level of 110% and he was passionate about it. He displayed a shifty wit, known as the ìGroves Wit.î He loved his family, especially his grandchildren, Ryan and Laci who called him Pop. His concern for others was evident throughout his life and was exemplified on a trip to Forbes Field in Pittsburg when he was younger. He caught a foul ball that was hit during a Pirate game and promptly presented it to a young fan in a wheelchair, stating that the young man would have caught the ball if John wasnít in his way. When his sister was hurt in an automobile accident, he made sure flowers were sent to a lady that assisted her to the hospital. Along with his quick wit, John was spontaneous and loved to surprise people; ensuring that Christmas was always a great family event. ìKeep you head downî was often one of his favorite quotes as he would attempt to help Kari in her golf game, along with ìOh My Goodnessî, probably when she made a great shot thanks to his coaching. John passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at the St John Medical Center at the age of sixty-six. He was preceded in death by his father, John William Groves and his mother, Maxine Mae Groves. He is survived by his wife Mary Sue Groves of the home in Sand Springs, Oklahoma; two daughters and their husbands, Monica and Brad Cox of Eufaula, Oklahoma and Kari and Travis Black of Cleveland, Oklahoma; step-daughter and her husband, Gina and Jeff Yrttima of New Symra, Florida; adpoted daughter, Beverly Trudell of Tulsa, Oklahoma; a brother and his wife, David and Julie Groves of Humble, Texas; two sisters and their husbands, Rebecca and Mark Gassaway of The Woodlands, Texas and Kathleen and Mike Howard of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Ryan Fowler of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Laci Lankford Black of Cleveland, Oklahoma and Kodi and Liberty Cox of Eufaula, Oklahoma; mother-in-law, Mary Pierce of Wagoner, Oklahoma; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, August 29, 2009 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Rev. Matt Blair officiating. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.