- Date Of Birth: June 14, 1935
- Date Of Death: January 31, 2013
- State: Illinois
James Hazen Groves “Jim”, 77, of Belleville, IL, formerly of O’Fallon, IL, born June 14, 1935 in St. Louis, MO, died Thursday, January 31, 2013 at home with his family in Belleville, IL. He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant after 23 years of honorable service, including service in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, with the United States Air Force. After retirement he worked for 21 years in Civil Service where he earned numerous awards and citations for his outstanding service to the Dept. of the Air Force.
Though he never complained, Jim grew up in a poverty stricken broken family. He was later taken in and loved by his Grandma Tildy who he referred to as “the salt of the earth”. He left home permanently at 15 and joined the Army/Air Force at 17. He later married his wife Norma, the love of his life, and together they adopted three children. He attained his high school diploma in adulthood and always stressed education to his children. He was a supportive father who rose above the emotional poverty of his childhood to love his children and stand behind them through thick and thin.
For those who knew Jim, he was a tough, strong, hardworking, outspoken individual who had learned early the ideals of pride, self-sufficiency, and pulling oneself up by the bootstraps. During his final months as he was on Hospice and being cared for by his family, he began to understand humility, dependence on God, and faith in Jesus. If Jim could speak right now he would thank his daughter-in-law Renee Groves (Whom he lovingly called Granny in his last days)for her committed service and love to him in caring for his every need in his final months, his grandchildren for their devoted service which was always rendered without complaint, and his best-friend Ron Dormer for his regular visits and comradery.
Because Jim has already come face to face with Yahweh, he would want all to know that it is okay to lay down your pride and render humble service to God, he would want us to know we are not self-sufficient, but were created to find our strength in Jesus, and most of all he would want us to know that faith in Jesus allows us to rise out of our sinful nature to serve a loving God with a repentant heart. His son wishes to thank God for the privilege to serve Him through caring for his Dad during his final months, a time he will always hold near to his heart.
James was preceded in death by his wife Norma Groves, daughter Virginia Groves, parents; Paul L. and Helen Groves, a brother Robert G. Groves and sister Paula Jean Branneky. He is survived by a son James D. (Renee) Groves, grandchildren, Brittany Kohlberg, Hazen Groves, Gabrielle Groves, Julia Groves, James E. Groves, Jacob Groves, and Christian Groves, a sister Patricia Thomas, a brother Richard A. (Mary) Groves.
