LUCIAN Y. GROVE

GROVE LUCIAN YATES GROVE July 17, 1924-November 10, 2012 Lucian Yates Grove, 88, of Roanoke, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 10, 2012, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. He is preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Locher Grove and Katherine Montgomery Grove; brothers, James Mason Grove, Philip Grove and Daniel Grove Jackson; and sisters, Mary Carter Sawyer and Branch Grove Smith. Lucian was born on July 17, 1924, in Washington, D.C., and attended Fairfax High School. He was chosen to attend Old Dominion Boys State in Blacksburg in 1941, which influenced him to attend Virginia Tech, where he received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1947. He was hired by Appalachian Power company in 1947 where he designed and oversaw construction of the new underground electrical distribution system in downtown Roanoke that is still in service today. He then became President and Owner of Contracting Enterprises Incorporated, an overhead and underground utility construction company specializing in power, gas and telecommunications throughout the Roanoke Valley, Southwestern Virginia and West Virginia, and was active in this business for 60 years. He retired in late 2007. His community involvement, efforts and achievements were extensive, and included Campaign Chairman and President of the United Way, President of the Blue Ridge Mountains Council of Boy Scouts of America, President of the West Central 4-H Center, President Roanoke Roundtable and President of the Regional Partnership of Roanoke Valley. He served on numerous boards including Friendship Retirement Community, Dominion Bank, Community Hospital of the Roanoke Valley, Carilion Health System, Roanoke Museum of Fine Arts, Center in the Square, Valley Beautiful Foundation, Roanoke Chapter National Conference of Christians and Jews Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Foundation of Roanoke Valley, Foundation for Roanoke Valley, United Negro College Fund, Shenandoah Club, Virginia Tech Alumni Association, Sons of the American Revolution and the Science Museum of Western Virginia. He was elected to Roanoke City Council in 1976 as a member of the Roanoke Forward ticket and served from 1976 to 1980, and was recognized as Citizen of the Year in 1983. One of his children's favorite contributions was his involvement with the Roanoke Jaycees in the design, construction and installation of the Mill Mountain ZooChoo more than 50 years ago. A loyal and enthusiastic supporter of Virginia Tech, he was a member of the German Club and an inductee in the Ut Prosim Society. He is included in the prestigious Virginia Tech Committee of 100, School of Engineering Award for excellence in the engineering industry and received the 1988 Virginia Tech Alumni Distinguished Service Award. Lucian was the first recipient of the Night Rider Award, presented by the Roanoke Jaycees, for his contributions towards the establishment of the Roanoke Regional Partnership; the Silver Beaver Award from the Boys Scouts of America for his leadership and impact on the lives of youth through service; and the Silver Hope Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Dinner of Champions for corporate and community leadership. Lucian's greatest joys were his wife, June, his children and his grandchildren. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, and we will miss him dearly. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, June Elizabeth Bova, of Roanoke; and three children, Elizabeth Grove Sayers and husband, Richard, Dr. Lucian Yates Grove Jr. and wife, Tammy, and Anne Carter Grove, all of Roanoke; four loving grandchildren, Lucian Yates Grove III, Locher Montgomery Grove, Richard Yates Sayers and Katherine Elizabeth Sayers; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 15, 2012, at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, 318 Church Ave., SW. Memorial Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 16, 2012, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1 Mountain Ave., SW, with The Reverend Barkley Thompson officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Memorial gifts may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, the Rector's Fund. The family wishes to extend appreciation to Friendship Retirement Community, as well as special thanks to caretakers Debra, Marie, Debbye, Emily and Connie for their care and dedication. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, Roanoke, Va., 540-982-2100. www.Oakeys.comArrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, Roanoke, Va., 540-982-2100. www.Oakeys.com