John Varner Grove

SAN ANGELO John Varner Grove was born on Dec. 3, 1932, to Harry D. and Ruby (Hughes) Grove in El Paso, Texas. In 1950, after graduating high school he went to work for El Paso Natural Gas Co. He met the love of his life, Leah Marie Moore, while attending her father's church. They were married on June 3, 1951. Their son, Arthur Wesley, joined them in 1954, while John was in the army and stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He was discharged from the army in 1955 and returned to El Paso, Texas. Their daughters, Karen and Sharon, were born in El Paso in 1957 and 1959. While employed with EPNG, he was transferred to Arizona and later to Gallup, New Mexico where he and his family remained for 36 years. For over 20 years Leah owned and operated a Christian book store, Bread of Life, in Gallup, while John was working for EPNG. John and Leah were actively involved in the lives of their children and in their church. John retired from EPNG in 1994, and Leah sold her store and retired in 1996. They moved to San Angelo Texas in 2002, because they wanted to live their senior years in Texas. John was preceded in death by his parents; and his son. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Leah Grove; his daughters, Karen (Chris) Ratzloff of Moore, Oklahoma and Sharon (Joe) Hogeda of San Angelo; as well as four grandchildren and their spouses; and eight great-grandchildren. John's life and final message to everyone is: Never let go of your faith; treasure your family, love your fellow man and sing a country song! Visitation will be all day Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at the funeral home. Funeral services for John will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 5, 2014, at Full Gospel Assembly Church in San Angelo with interment to follow in Belvedere Memorial Park. Services are under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home/Sherwood Way. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Full Gospel Assembly church or Gospel For Asia. Online condolences may be made to www.shafferpioneer.com.