John Groff Obituary
GREENSBORO — John Walter Groff, Father, Grandfather, Friend and Mentor, died at 68.
John Groff, who was born in Troy, OH and was a 30 year resident of Greensboro, NC, passed away on Saturday, May 21. He was 68.
John was a friend and mentor to many, a man known for his sense of humor and kind and generous spirit. He graduated from Purdue University with a Mechanical Engineering degree and went on to receive his MBA from The Ohio State University. John also served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969. During his service, he was deployed to Vietnam and spent most of his time there as an Army diver, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. After starting his family in Columbus Ohio they relocated to Greensboro, NC in 1983.
John was preceded in death by his sister, Dottie Groff Tecklenburg; mother, Edna Elizabeth Groff; and father, Walter Anthony Groff. He is survived by his three children: son, Jason John Groff (Wife Whitney Warnke Groff) of Marietta, GA; and daughters, Jan Groff Dawson of Wilmington, NC and Jennifer Van Cleve (Husband Christopher Van Cleve) of Ridgewood, NJ. He is also survived by his four grandchildren: Kelsey and Carter Dawson of Wilmington, NC and Austin and Tyler Groff of Marietta, GA. Dad, we love you and will miss you very much.
A special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Durham VA Medical Center for their care and compassion.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church of 2715 Horse Pen Creek Rd. Greensboro, NC 27410. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the same location.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of John Walter Groff to The First Tee of The Triad PO Box 236 Clemmons, NC 27012.
Please offer condolences at www.news-record.com/obituaries/
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sharon Klosterman Nyhuis
May 21, 2019
My condolences and heartfelt prayers are with John & his family.
Stephanie Noonan
June 9, 2017
I still miss you John and wish I could have seen you before you passed May God bless you dear friend. Thanks for the memories. Love
Sharon Klosterman Nyhuis
June 11, 2011
To all of John's family and friends
Nicholas Peck
May 26, 2011
To John's family: I was shocked to read about John's passing in the Troy Daily News today. You have my deepest sympathy. We grew up together, worked together at Miami Shores, and played lots of golf together. He was my best man. He will always be remembered as a friend.
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Kathy with grandson Easton Bogart
Kathy Bogart
May 26, 2011
To John's family:
I am one of John's first cousins back in Ohio - his Uncle Bernard's daughter. I just wanted to offer my sympathy to all of you on his passing. John was a little older than I. I would never approach him but always thought he was bigger than life and very handsome. It sounds like he lead a life of which he could be very proud. I'm sure he will be greatly missed by his family and friends but it's one of the great benefits of Christianity to know that he will be in a better, happier place for eternity with his Father.
I wish I could have known him better.
Sincerely,
Kathy (Groff) Bogart
Jim Schrum
May 26, 2011
Dear Groff family,
I met John several years ago when he represented the Ferag Company and he would call upon us in the Production Department of the News & Record. I found John to be a man of his word and he represented his company and product very well. My condolences on your loss.
Justo Nunez
May 26, 2011
I did not know John well but I can attest to his kind nature and friendly smile. I met him years and years ago, but he has stayed in my memory even though we only saw each other every once in a long while at St. Paul the Apostle. That is the power of a righteous person, one who was more interested in others than in himself. He will be remembered fondly by many and I hope that your personal memories of this wonderful man will sustain you in your sorrow. He is still with many of us and with you, in all our hearts.
May 25, 2011
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Sal and Debbie Bruno-Salvino
May 25, 2011
Jason, We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Huggs!
Donna (Owen) Pratt and Bill Pratt
May 25, 2011
Dear Jan, Jason, and Jennifer,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your families. We have good memories of your whole family here on Chatfield Drive. I saw your dad at the grocery store recently and was so sorry to see him in poor health, but happy to catch up on all the good news about you. He was very proud of all of you and said so.
Betsy and Richard Fox (Rebecca & Aaron too)
Melanie Hamilton-Swisher
May 25, 2011
Dearest Groff Family, as a 1961 graduate of Troy High School, I want to extend to the entire family my deepest sympathy. Your father and grandfather will be remembered in my heart with his infectious smile and gentle nature. I talked with him at our last reunion, and was looking forward to seeing him in October for our 50th class reunion. I know Jeff May is coming for John's service, as one of his lifetime friends. May God bless all of you with precious memories to keep forever in your hearts.
May 25, 2011
All of the Columbus, Ohio Dusseaus will sadly miss JG. He was a long time good friend to all of us. Please accept our deepest sympathy and know that he and all of you are fondly remember on Havendale and Kennybrook Lanes in Columbus.
Sincerely,
Paul and Claudia Joe, Chris, Mike and Steve
Michelle Ray
May 24, 2011
Jason, I am so sorry for your loss. I just saw your dad a week and half ago. I enjoyed talking with him over the many years I had been cutting his hair. He had a great sense of humor, and we were always trading remodeling stories in recent years. He was so proud of all of you. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ~Michelle Ray at Head Hunter Salon
May 24, 2011
We will all miss your smile John at Salvino. Barbora Bruno - Salvino
Sharon Mandrano
May 24, 2011
So sorry for your loss! My husband and I met John many years ago through the Greensboro Ski and Outing Club. Although we haven't seen him in years due to our starting a family, I remember him well. He was indeed a gentleman!
Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results
Make a Donation
in John Groff's name
How to support John's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor John Groff's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
