James Overall "Jim" Groce

James "Jim" Overall Groce, 85, of Asheville, NC, passed away Monday, January 19, 2026, at Mission Hospital.
Jim was born in Asheville, the son of Thomas A. Groce, Jr. and Marguerite Groce (Overall).

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sheryl Moore Groce, and daughter, Karen Elizabeth Groce Field and her husband, Erik John Field, of Asheville. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Thomas A. Groce, III, of Asheville.

An alumnus of Lee Edwards High School, in Asheville, Jim went on to graduate with honors from North Carolina State University in 1962. He completed an executive training program with Sears, Roebuck and Company, in Raleigh, NC, and subsequently moved back to Asheville to manage and take over Citizen's Hardware and Supply Company, Inc., the family business started in 1941 by his father. Jim owned and managed Citizens Home Center in Asheville for over 25 years until selling in 1994. He then went on to become a Commercial Real Estate Broker at Pulliam Properties for over 30 years, retiring at age 80.

Jim was always impassioned by and civically active in his beloved local community. At the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, he served 2 terms on the Board of Directors as well as on the Executive Committee and as Vice Chair of Small Business Development. Jim helped form and chair the first Small Business Council. At the United Way of Asheville, Jim served on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. He also served as President of the Better Business Bureau and on the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Asheville.

Jim still found time for his love of travel, visiting many countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. But his first love and devotion were to his family, to whom he was everything. Jim had a strong desire and purpose to lift people up and to teach and encourage them to be their best. He was most proud of the times when he could make a difference in people's lives.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family. A Celebration of Jim's Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 14 in the Chapel of Groce Funeral Home's Lake Julian location in Arden.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Haywood Street Congregation at 297 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801; or Meals on Wheels, 146 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC 28801.