George David Groenewold, born June 12, 1942 in Tulsa, Ok at home, to Jessie May Van Horn and August William Groenewold, both deceased.
He’s survived by his wife, Joanne of 35 years, Kellyville OK.
Siblings:
Gayle Lackey and husband John of Costa Mesa, CA, son’s Mark, Stan, and Roger
Van Dick Groenewold and wife Vicki, of Phoenix AZ., Daughter, Sheree, Son, Scott, Daughter, Vicki
John Groenewold and wife Susie of Cypress, TX, John’s son’s John Christian, Derek Zane.
Martha Bishop and husband Robert Surface of Tulsa, OK, Son’s Bruce, Brian, and Benjamin, Daughter Louwane and husband Mark Courtney.
NOTE: George was the baby and continually told his siblings, “Momma and Daddy loved me best”, so they were sure to know just how “special” he was. Insert laughter.
Children:
Karla Driskill, and husband Ron of Boston MA, grandchildren, Tyler, Alyse, Laurel, Lane
Rachele Millions, Phoenix AZ, grandson, Ethan Nichols.
Lance Groenewold, and wife Beth of Tulsa, granddaughter, London Harper Groenewold
Jana Coatney, and husband Joseph of Sapulpa OK
George has a host of cousins, nephews, nieces and brother and sisters in law, from the Van Horn’s, Groenewold’s, and Johnson’s
George was born at home on 33rd West Avenue, Tulsa where he lived until 1947, then the family moved to the 100 acre Farm in Weleetka Ok. His father was Chief Engineer of the Public Service plant in Weleetka. George grew up in the country, and raised a 2-3 acre garden with his family. He sold vegetables he cultivated and would take them to town with a trailer, pulled by a horse. He was free to ride his horse through the hills and valleys of Weleetka until he was to start the 7th grade, 1954. At that time, the Groenewold family moved back to Tulsa to Garden City, deep West side of the Arkansas River, with dad’s Public Service job. George graduated Webster High School in 1960.
It was natural he loved his church, family, and singing. He sang in the car with his family at an early age on family vacations. Each family member had a part to sing and did. They sometimes, sang for their supper as their momma and daddy requested, so it was part of the Groenewold DNA to love music and perform. The Groenewold Family were members of Carbondale Assembly of God in Tulsa. Carbondale supported and encouraged Southern Gospel Music in the 1950’s 1960’s and do so, to this day. George dearly loved Southern Gospel music and from his teenage years always sang in a quartet.
George loved Southern Gospel Music and loved to sing for Jesus. He always counted it an honor and privilege to be a part of God’s Plan. If you’ve heard Reunion Quartet sing you were blessed because they all were men of God and truly loved Jesus. George sang with Reunion for almost 30 years.
George had an entrepreneurial spirit so the BoxCar BBQ was created, in 1984. The plan was build the BoxCar BBQ, pull the trailer to Colorado Springs CO then set up near the Air Force Base, in the mountains. The trailer being built by George, his dad and Joanne, was too heavy and cumbersome to pull behind a 2 ton truck. So, it ended up on the SW corner of Taft and Main, in front of Leon’s mufflers. BoxCar is now at 907 W Dewey, Sapulpa.
He was 7 when he accepted Jesus, was baptized and understood God’s Design for mankind. He had a keen sense of what made people tick and could get to their hearts, quickly. He had his ways of doing so, which were sometimes aggravating and annoying, but in the end you KNEW he loved you. His family would see him study his Bible, but it wouldn’t be one Bible it would be 5-6 Bibles of differing interpretations so he could get the full meaning. He loved the deep passages and heart of the Bible, but he truly loved Jesus. In his way, he made that known, by his “Kellyville Paraphrase”. He wanted you to know and understand, but he also knew if he presented himself as a Bible Scholar, you probably wouldn’t be interested. But he was indeed, a Bible Scholar.
He had a life of Ministry, which in the latter years also included Celebrate Recovery. He loved to bear hug and love on everyone at CR and made a point to include everyone. He supported, loved and encouraged in every area of his life and dearly loved Celebrate Recovery. He wanted to show the love of Jesus in every area of his life, and he did. Donations can be made in honor of George to the following:
Gideons International
PO Box 392
Sapulpa, OK 74039
Clarehouse
7617 S. Mingo
Tulsa, OK 74133 Visitation will be held from 6-8 pm on Monday, April 17, 2017 at Smith Funeral Home, 1208 S Main St, Sapulpa, OK. Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at First Baptist Church, Sapulpa, OK. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home, 1208 S Main St, Sapulpa, OK.
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