John W.
Groomes
Died
April 21, 2018
NORTHPORT – John Woodward Groomes, 97, of
Northport, passed away on Saturday, April 21, 2018, surrounded by his loving family.
John was born on Oct. 5, 1920 in Brownsville, PA,
the son of John and Eliza (Fox) Groomes.
In 1969 he married Donna D. Swanson, who survives.
John enlisted in the Navy during World War II and
was stationed in the Aleutian Islands, Dutch Harbor, Alaska as a hard hat
driver. Because of his performance
excellence, he was selected for officer candidates school (OCS) at Columbia
University. After his Columbia training
he was deployed to the Western Pacific aboard the destroyer, USS Purdy and rose
to the rank 0f Lieutenant.
John retired in 1999 to Northport after a career
in the Machine Tool Industry. Prior, he
taught advanced mathematics and physics at Central High School, in Traverse
City. He was known for his management
abilities and encyclopedic knowledge of the machine tool industry. He was responsible for coordinating the
International Machine Tool shows at Cobo Hall and McCormic Place in
Chicago. He ended his career at Comau
Productivity Systems, an Italian Co. producing automated assembly systems for
North American Industries.
In addition to his loving wife of 48 years, John
is survived by their sons, John (Marsha), Clay (Janis), and Jeff (Paula);
daughters, Anita (Art) and Michele; eight grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother,
Donald.
The funeral service will be held at
12 noon on Saturday, May 5 with the family greeting friends at 11 a.m. at
Trinity Church of the United Church of Christ in Northport. The family only burial will follow at
Leelanau Township Cemetery, Northport.
Mr. Groome’s granddaughter, Erin (Groomes) Lane will officiate along
with Rev. Phil Garrison.
Memorials may be directed to Trinity Church UCC,
PO Box 159, Northport, MI 49670; Cherryland Humane Society, 1750 Ahlberg Rd,
Traverse City, MI 49686 and/or Northport Sportsman Club, PO Box 373, Northport, MI 49670.
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