Steven Edgar Grooms

STEVEN E. GROOMS, age 82, passed away peacefully at his home in the Quail Valley subdivision of Missouri City, Texas, on Wednesday, January 30, 2013. He was born December 6, 1930, in Hialeah, Florida, to George and Stella Whitney Grooms, and spent his childhood years in various cities in southern Florida.

Steve served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950-1954, and then enrolled at the University of Miami, graduating with an Electrical Engineering Degree in 1958. Over a thirty-one year career at various locations from Florida to California, Steve was employed in management engineering positions by Douglas Aircraft, Boeing, Philco Ford, Rockwell, and TRW/Ferranti International Controls Corp. He was particularly proud of his service to the nation’s space program in its infancy, serving both at Cape Canaveral (Kennedy) and at the NASA headquarters in Clear Lake, Texas. His work at the Cape contributed to the development of dependable rocket systems to propel spacecraft into outer space and to return those spacecraft to earth. At NASA’s Houston Mission Control, he was responsible for the installation of the entire Control System to monitor and control NASA’s pioneer flights into outer space. In addition, he managed the installation of the first Control System for Houston Lighting and Power, as well as control systems in Europe, Asia, and South America. Steve joined TRW Controls Corp. in Houston in 1976 as General Manager. In 1984, the company was sold to Ferranti International Controls Corp. and he was named President and Chief Executive Officer, serving in that position until his retirement in 1989. Steve was a thirty-six year resident of Quail Valley, where he was an avid golfer.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Lois Nicholas of Allentown, PA. Steve is survived by his wife of thirty-seven years, Kay; son, Scott Grooms and his wife Jo Lynn of Houston, TX; daughter, Susanne Jooston and her Kent of League City, TX; stepsons, Todd Klawitter of Houston, TX, and Doug Klawitter of Pensacola, FL; brother, Philip Grooms of Valrico, FL; and grandchildren, Katie, Samantha, Blake, Dak, and Elie.

A Memorial Celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, February 4, 2013, at The Settegast-Kopf Co. @ Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land (Williams Trace Exit).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Steve’s memory be made to the Florida Baptist Children’s Home @[email protected], or to the charity of your choice.