David Ray Groves

David Ray Groves was born on August 5, 1929, in Canton, Ohio, to Ruth and Leslie Groves. He had a sister, Nancy, who was born in 1939. From an early age, David showed a passion for music, playing the piano, singing, poetry, stamp collecting, fast cars, and photography. He was a compassionate, Christian man who served his country and as a leader of his community and in his faith. As a youth, David was active in Boy Scouts. He attended J. H. Lehman High School, where he learned French, Mechanical Drawing, Chorus, and Dramatics. His early career includes roles as a paper carrier, entrepreneurial printing press operator, radio, and television technician, and cleaning and painting meters at the local water company. He worked at Hercules Motor Companies, as a Student Engineer. He learned about diesel and gasoline engine manufacturing and developed a love for hotrods and fast cars. In September 1950, he joined the Air Force. His first assignment was at Shepherd Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX. He was then assigned to Francis E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming where he attended Powerman School, focusing on gas and diesel engines. Later in his Air Force career, he stationed at Langley AFB and then Luke AFB, which brought him to Arizona so he could be closer to family. He worked in the electrical shop on base, constructing temporary lighting facilities on the runway for nighttime takeoff and landing maneuvers. David's military career ended in July 1952, following a hardship discharge. David attended Phoenix College from 1952 to 1954 and the University of Arizona from 1954 to 1956, graduating with honors from Engineering College with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Prior to graduating, he worked summers at Salt River Project (SRP), where he worked in the field, comparing paper system maps with actual powerline routes. SRP hired David full-time in 1956. He worked in Transmission & Distribution, where he was responsible for designing and installing customer and system electric facilities. Later in his career, David moved on to Street Lighting and then Customer Service where he retired in 1989. In July 1961, David married switchboard operator Mollie Witherly. His job afforded him the ability to travel the United States, often taking Mollie along. They also traveled internationally to places like Israel and Greece. Mollie passed away in 1984. David joined Toastmasters International in 1962 and took night school starting in 1964 at Arizona State University, graduating in 1970 with a Master of Business Administration. In 1973, he was elected and served on the Supervisory Committee of SRP Credit Union. In 1978 he joined the Kiwanis Club, where he remained active serving his community more than 46 years, until his death. In 1985, David married Arline Patricia "Pat" List. David and Pat traveled all over the United States and parts of Canada in their RV. They remained married until Pat's passing 2007. David married Mary Jo McManama, in 2008. Mary Jo and David continued to travel internationally including the Caribbean Islands, South America, New Zealand and more. David is proceeded in death by his parents, Ruth & Leslie, wives Mollie Witherby and Arline Patricia "Pat" List and sister, Nancy Grovers Saude. David is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jo, niece Susan Sweeney, and husband Jim as well as many devoted sisters-in-laws, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews, not to mention all the friends David met during his long, extraordinary life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David Ray Groves, please visit our floral store.