John Philip Gruchy Jr.

John Philip (Phil) Gruchy Jr.,74, of Starkville, passed away on December 27, 2025.
Phil was born on November 15, 1951, in Norfolk Virginia to the late John Philip Sr. and Lillian Irene Gruchy. He was raised on a family farm in Wesson Mississippi. He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy (1970 to 1976), where he was fortunate enough to visit interesting places from the West Indies to the Mediterranean Sea as a radio operator. Following his service, Phil earned a degree from the University of Mississippi in Medical Records Administration, which would remain his vocation until he retired in 2015.
Phil married Darinda Rae (Brown) Gruchy in 1979 and remained a devoted husband until his passing.
In addition to his career and family, Phil was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Starkville, for nearly 40 years, where he served as a Sunday School teacher and leader of the men's Tuesday morning prayer breakfast. He was involved in The Gideons International as a speaker and in the prison ministry. He was also a skilled carpenter, having built the home in which he and Darinda raised their family.
Phil will be remembered as a stoic but loving father and grandfather, with his proudest accomplishments being his family and the memories they shared together.
He is survived by his wife, Darinda; his sister, Lillian Anita Foster; his sons, John Philip III (Kristy) and Steven Ray (Benita), both of Amory; and his grandchildren, John Colter and Molly Kait (John), and Lillian Joye, Lucille Jane, and Bobbyjace Alan (Steven).
A visitation will be held on January 5th, 2026, from 1:00 until 2:00 with a brief memorial service to follow at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Starkville.
Phil will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.