James F. Groce passed away at home in Midland, Texas on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at the age of 64. A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. On Friday, September 6, 2013, graveside services will be held at Resthaven Memorial ParkContinue Reading
James F. Groce passed away at home in Midland, Texas on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at the age of 64. A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. On Friday, September 6, 2013, graveside services will be held at Resthaven Memorial Park at 10:30 AM with memorial services following at 2:00 PM at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel with Reverend Jan Reed, officiating.James was born on November 24, 1948 to Wayne D. and Betty Jo (Rice) Groce in Lubbock, Texas. James attended Lubbock schools and graduated in 1967, the valedictorian of his class. With the advantage of more than one scholarship, he attended Texas Tech University graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering in 1971.James married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Kaye Rogers, their junior year in college. That summer he obtained an internship with Texaco, Inc. in Midland and was hired as a petroleum engineer after graduation. After working for Texaco in Midland, Sweetwater and Wichita Falls, he moved his family back to Midland in 1977. He went to work 25 years as a petroleum engineer with Bass Enterprises Production Co. , Henry Engineering, and Fasken Oil and Ranch Interests. In 1996, James changed careers to become a financial advisor for Smith Barney. In 2005, at the age of 57, James earned his Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning from the College for Financial Planning in Colorado.James was a registered professional engineer with the state of Texas, a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner, and a financial planning specialist with Smith Barney. He served as Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 126 and also as a merit badge counselor, local section chairman of the Society of Petroleum Engineers in 1987, and President of the local chapter of the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers in 1996. He was a member of Mensa, the Texas Tech Ex-Students Association, Tau Beta Pi, Midland Rotary Club, Toastmasters, Community Bible Study, the Midland Chamber of Commerce, the Exchange Club, and Trinity Presbyterian Church.A man of many interests, James was a reader, a life-long learner, a woodworker, a model builder, gardener, lover of animals, and truly a kind person who enjoyed helping others. For the last eight years, he managed his cancer treatments, his continuous pain, and cancer’s indignities with a cheerful spirit and a courageous heart. Family and friends who knew him will miss him greatly.Preceding James in death were his parents and his younger brother, David W. Groce. James is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patti, his son Jason and his wife Carolyn, grandson, Olso, and granddaughter, Idaluu all of Austin, Texas, his older brother Wayne Groce and his wife Karen of Midland, Texas, and his brother David’s wife Sara Groce of Shallowater, Texas.Memorials for James may be made to Midland Need to Read, Hospice of Midland, or the charity of choice.,
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