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Captain John Axtell Grove II
May 28, 1943-
January 15, 2013
Captain John Axtell Grove II, USN(Ret), was born 28 May 1943 in Newton, KS to Dr. John Axtell Grove and Mary Ida (Fitch) Grove. John graduated from Newton High School in 1961. He received his BA from Bethel College in 1966. John joined the United States Navy in 1966 and received his wings of gold through the AOCS program the same year. While in Pensacola, he met and married his wife of 45 years, Phyllis Joy (Addison) Grove.
His first squadron was HS-2 followed later by tours in HS-10, HSL-37, and command of HSL-32. Shipboard tours included the USS Hornet, USS Independence, USS Rathburne, and USS Guadalcanal where he served as Air Boss.
Shore tours included the Naval War College, The Pentagon; where he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for the Chief of Naval Operations, NAS Norfolk; where he served as Executive/Commanding Officer. His final tour was Commanding Officer of the Alcohol/Drug Rehabilitation Center for the Navy.
His awards included the Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal with three gold stars.
After nearly 30 years of dedicated service, John retired from active duty in 1994 and successfully transitioned into the corporate world for 12 years prior to his move to Milton, FL.
John was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He enjoyed gourmet cooking, fishing and had a profound appreciation for the outdoors.
Memberships included the Military Officers Association of America, the Order of Daedalians, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sons of the American Revolution, Navy Helicopter Association, Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, First United Methodist Church of Milton, Florida Supreme Court Mediator and Beta Theta Pi.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. John A. Grove and a sister, Margie Grove.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis (Penny), a son Joshua Leon Grove, daughter-in-law Julie (Curl) Grove, granddaughter, Reagan Olivia Ann Grove and grandson, Gavin Brock Grove of Front Royal, Virginia. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Grove Sizemore, brother-in-law, Herbert Hadley Sizemore of McPherson, Kansas and nephews, Jay and Adam Sizemore.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Santa Rosa County Chapter of Military Officers of America Scholarship Fund, the First United Methodist Church of Milton Elevator Building Fund or the Wounded Warriors of America Fund.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 19,2013 at the First United Methodist Church of Milton beginning at 3:30 P.M., followed by services at 5:00 P.M.
Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery for a date yet to be determined.
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Captain John Grove
I worked closely with then Captain John Grove 1989-90 at NAS Norfolk. He was very compassionate and brilliant in his leadership of the hundreds of young Navy people who worked directly for him and the thousands who worked in the tenant military commands hosted by the Naval Air Station.
Everyday John poured through a pile of paperwork sometimes a foot high on his desk, being generated by the 35 department heads and special assistants of NAS Norfolk. It was incredible how much personnel business took place there.
The Naval Air Station Commanding Officer, the Skipper, and John Grove, the Executive Officer were leaders who often worked 10, 12 and 16 hour days, never relenting the massive job of administering not only the 35 departments and special assistant offices, but also coordinating missions with the 112 tenant commands, for whom NAS Norfolk was the host command.
In addition, my office, the Aviation safety office, as with a few other specialized offices working for John and Bart, served to coordinate our missions with tenant commands of Naval Station Norfolk, the ship side of the worlds biggest naval base.
For example there were 46 aviation commands on NAS and another dozen or so aviation commands on the NS ship side of the base, for which the NAS Norfolk ASO had direct responsibility.
The then Skipper of the Naval Station at that time, is actually one of my great neighbors here in Virginia. I see him often and enjoy talking about serving in these roles.
John Grove was a great leader who led by example, doing the job superbly everyday.
How do I know the details?
Well, sometimes I carpooled with John. He’d pick me up at 530am for our 45 minute ride to the air station. As the work day wore on to 4 or 5 pm, I’d make my way over from the Aviation Safety Office to the XO and Skipper’s office, often to review reports I had written of base wide safety events, to review them with John and the Skipper. So I know that these two officers, the leaders, were in their offices working til 530 and 6pm, or later, often reviewing these reports, ensuring correct style, substance and addressees. Details, perfecting the details. It was an education working for and with these two people.
They demonstrated super refined dedication and unsurpassed professional competence.
Yet on the rides home, John always had good humor, a pleasant personality and a view forward of optimism and positivity. We both unwound a bit on that 45 minute ride glad to be going home to wonderful spouses and families.
And John’s spouse is the same way as John, dedicated to others, tireless, enthusiastic and positive. Kids sometimes don’t often realize how great their parents are until much later in life.
I just wanted to share the very brief glimpse I had of working with John, and as great friends sharing a meal together in Virginia and Florida after serving together.
I want you to know that John gave an enormous amount of leadership, caring, compassion and wisdom during his time in service, to hundreds and thousands of young people, and our nation and community are all the better for it.
So, peace and joy, good health, happiness and hope to the memory of John Grove.
Captain Paul Miller
Military
January 12, 2021
We still miss you CAPT. John.
Curtis Ayers
Friend
January 12, 2021
John was a terrific shipmate and fun to be with. Dan Bilicki
Daniel Bilicki
Military
January 14, 2020
So very honored to have served under John's command in HSL-32. He was a role model, at a time when I really needed one. My thoughts and prayers with Penny and the family.
John "Wiz" Withers
February 5, 2013
A true American Hero
February 2, 2013
John was welcomed as family into my (Anaston) family. Always enjoyed his wise counsel, quick wit and humor, and well-informed view of everything from world history to cooking! You will be missed, John but you still are alive in our hearts.
Kim & Jim Anaston-Karas
January 23, 2013
May God be with his family.
john morrow
January 21, 2013
Penny...
Please accept my sincere condolences. May the good Lord ease your sorrow.
I had the pleasure of knowing John for over 40 years and am honored to be among his many friends. All who have served with John are the beneficiaries of his genuine concern for their well-being. John's dedication to family, God, and country are his legacy. He will be missed...but never forgotten.
CAPT Dick Catone USN (Ret)
January 21, 2013
Penny...
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. May the good Lord ease your sorrow.
I had the pleasure of knowing John for over 40 years and am honored to have been one of his many friends. John's ever-present smile, sense of humor, and dedication to family, God, and country are his legacy. All who have served with John are the beneficiaries of his loyalty. John will be missed...but never forgotten.
January 21, 2013
Penny...
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I had the honor of knowing John and enjoying his friendship for over 40 years. His ever-present smile, sense of humor, and dedication to family, God, and country are his legacy. All who served with John are the beneficiaries of his stellar example. John will be missed...but never forgotten. May the good Lord ease your sorrow.
CAPT Dick Catone (USN Ret)
January 21, 2013
Penny and Josh, our hearts are just broken. I can't tell you how he touched our lives. Having John as part of my life was definitely a Blessing from the Lord. He was one of greatest people I have ever known. I'm a better person for knowing CAPT. John. And through all of the medical issues he has been through over the years, I 'never' heard him complain. May God Bless you and comfort you during this time of loss. Curtis and Starr
Curtis & Starr Ayers
January 19, 2013
A true leader and friend, you will be missed by all. I was proud to have served with you. Now you serve with one mightier than all. God Bless you and your family.
ABCM (AW/SW) Ret. Fred Rebmann
January 19, 2013
Poppy, you were such a kind, caring and loving grandfather. We promise to carry on your good deeds and speak often to the children about you....Love Giddy & Gitz
January 19, 2013
John truly cared about people and took his delight by knowing that his service to them made their lives more successful, more happy and more fulfilling, professionally as well as personally. How great a man is that?! John, you led us all by your example and I will always carry your sincere happy smile with me and remember that it is how much we care about others that really counts. To Penny, Josh and family, our deepest sympathies. We all loved him and respected him and will miss this great person.
Captain Paul and Nancy Miller
January 19, 2013
John was a wonderful Officer and a great friend. He will be missed by us. I am proud to have served with him.
Skip & Charlotte French
January 19, 2013
John was one of the 'good guys' - Kind, patient, and professional. Godspeed, Shipmate.
Penny and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sandy Clark
January 19, 2013
John was most respected and loved by his class of 1961. I have known John since grade school. My condolences go out to his wife and family. May you find comfort in knowing he is with God now. Sincerely, Kathryn Beal (k.P. Holmes}
January 19, 2013
I had the privileged of serving under Commander Grove as my Air Boss on-board the USS Guadalcanal, and for that I am a better man today. He taught me not only how to respect others, but to lead and become the proud Flight-Deck Chief that I retired as. If anyone deserved the title of "Sir", it was Commander Grove. You will be greatly missed and I'll stand the watch until we meet again! "Salute"!!!!!!
Bill Byrd (ABHC--Retired)
January 18, 2013
My condolences to Penny and family. John was my Commanding officer and was a driving force in me attending college and taking a commission. I enjoyed some wonderful cross country flights with John as his crewman. He was always the gentleman and a great example of a Naval Officer.
Patrick Durden
January 18, 2013
Penny and Family
Saddened to learn of John's passing. My Dad passed away on Veteran's Day so this is hitting hard. John was the kind of friend and Naval Officer that many of us aspired to being. His friendship got me through some tough times. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Chuck Bloom
January 18, 2013
An exemplary leader and perfect example of what a Naval Officer should be...it truly was a pleasure to have served with John.
Russ Gordon
January 18, 2013
To Penny and family, Christy and I are deeply sadden by news of John's passing. He was an extraordinary leader and mentor for many of us in the HSL community. We both have many fond memories of your friendship. Our sincere condolence to you. Jan & Christy Gaudio
Jan & Christy Gaudio
January 18, 2013
proud to have served under Commander Grove. 1981-1985
Gary Sumner, Sr
January 18, 2013
John was a wonderful example to us as an officer, Naval Aviator, and leader. It was our very good fortune to have served with him. Our prayers and thoughts are with Penny and the family.
Bookie & Susan Boland
January 18, 2013
John will be missed by all those touched by his friendship and Navy leadership. God bless.
Tom Pruter
January 18, 2013
John was a terrific shipmate. Our prayers for the family and John.
Dan & Anita Bilicki
Daniel Bilicki
January 18, 2013
Penny and Josh, it was an honor and a privilege to have John as our close friend. May he rest in peace and we pray you can feel God's arms wrapped around you for strength.
Kathy and Len Amos
January 18, 2013
I will miss you John ....
Barbara Porter
January 18, 2013
I will truly miss my friend ~ thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time ...
Pamela Engstrom
January 18, 2013
Captain and Mrs. Dennis Davis, USNR, (RET). We have lost a good friend and shipmate. We miss him already. May he Rest In Peace.
January 17, 2013
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