George Thomas Groneman

George Thomas Groneman, 89, of Kansas City, KS, died peacefully on Tuesday morning Jan. 17, 2006, at Providence Medical Center. Visitation will be held at Maple Hill Funeral Home, 3300 Shawnee Dr., at 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 20, 2006, followed by a memorial services at the funeral home and interment in Maple Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial gifts to K.C. Hospice. The family wishes to thank the staff of Providence Medical Center for their loving care and attention to George and his family. George was born May 22, 1916, in Chicago, IL the son of George A. and Mary (Gallagher ) Groneman. As a child he lived in Chicago, St. Paul and Boston. He attended Central Jr. High School and Wyandotte High School, graduating in 1935. He worked for Griffin Wheel Co., and was assistant office manager at Griffin's home office in Chicago when he enlisted in the Army at the outbreak of World War II. He was a staff sergeant in field artillery and served in New Guinea and the Philippines and was awarded a bronze star. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans. He was treasurer and post commander of Memorial Chapter 1 of the DAV. Following discharge from the Army, he served as Chief Deputy Clerk of the City Court of Wyandotte County from 1947 to 1949. He was Chief Deputy Clerk of the District Court from 1949 to 1951, and Clerk of the District court from 1951 to 1953. In 1954 he became the Deputy City Clerk of Kansas City, Kansas and in 1957 began a 21 year tenure as City Clerk. In January 1983 at the request of then Mayor Jack Reardon and Street and Park Commissioner Robert Zahnter, he came out of retirement to become the sixth and last Commissioner of Finance, Health and Public Property for 95 days until the new mayor-council-administrator form of government replaced the commission form. George was a life long Democrat and served the Democrat Party as a precinct committeeman and ward captain for many years. He also served the Democrat Central Committee as treasurer from 1953 until 1966 when he was elected chairman of the Democrat Central Committee. He was president of the Wyandotte County Young Democrats in 1953. He was active in charitable activities and served as chairman of the March of Dimes Fund Drive. He was active in Boy Scout Troop 22 and was a member of the Order of the Arrow. He was predeceased by his mother and father, Mary and George A. Groneman; and his brothers, Fredrick (Jack) and Jim Groneman; and his first wife of 35 years, Delma. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Huberta Groneman; two sons, Judge George Groneman and his wife Susan; and ABC Director Tom Groneman and his wife Kay; five Grandchildren, Brooke Groneman and her husband Roberto Ramos, Jared Groneman and his wife Erin, Andy Groneman and his wife Kim, Amy Groneman Winterscheid and her husband Matt, and Matt Groneman; great-grandchildren, Caden and Astin Ramos, Makao, Kaylin and Lauren Groneman. He is also survived by his canine companion Brandy.