James Richard ""Dick Groves

Mr. Groves was the owner/operator of a host house.

He is survived by his wife, Becky; four sons, Kirk of Louisville, Erik of Grand Junction, Kevin of Richland, Washington, and Chris of McKinney, Texas; one brother, John of Grand Junction; one sister, Judy Woodbury of Grand Junction; and 15 grandchildren.

Memorial contributions to Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado, P.O. Box 3000, Grand Junction 81502.

James ""Dick"" Groves

May 24, 1949 - November 28, 2014

Dick Groves was born May 24, 1949, in Grand Junction, CO to Verna M. and Hon. James K. Groves. He passed away on November 28, 2014, in Grand Junction, CO from heart failure.

Dick graduated from Grand Junction High School and attended the University of Colorado, Colorado Northwestern Community College, and Mesa State College. He was a Certified Foster Care Provider and enjoyed working with troubled and abused children and adults. Earlier in his career he served as General Manager for Snyder Memorials from 1971 to 1978. While with Snyder Memorials he received several recognitions and awards for memorial design, including a national recognition for his design of a War Memorial in Utah. He was also a Sales Representative for MJK Hardware and Osborn Supply in Craig, CO. He believed strongly in treating his customers squarely.

He was active in Masonry, as were his father, grandfather, brother, and two of his sons. He was a member of several Masonic organizations: International Order of DeMolay, invested with the Degree of Chevalier; Mesa Lodge #55 (serving as Worshipful Master in 1992); Grand Junction York Rite Bodies; and Grand Junction Scottish Rite Bodies, 32°. Dick took tremendous pride in his performance of Masonic ritual work and lectures and was one of only three individuals on the Western Slope to hold a Gold Proficiency Card. During his term as Master he led his Lodge to an ""Honor Lodge"" award.

He married Susan Snyder in 1970 and was later divorced. Two sons were born from this marriage, Kirk S. Groves of Louisville, CO and Erik R. Groves of Grand Junction, CO. In 1981 he married Becky Garner, who had a son, Christopher. One son, Kevin C. Groves of Richland, WA, was born from this marriage.

He is survived by his wife, Becky; sons, Kirk, Erik, and Kevin; step-son, Chris of McKinney, TX; a sister and a brother, Judy Woodbury and John Groves, both of Grand Junction, CO; 12 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. His parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles all predeceased him.

A memorial service will be held to honor his life at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary in Grand Junction at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 5, 2014. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to the Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado, c/o P.O. Box 3000, Grand Junction, CO 81502.