Born November 9, 1935, the only child of Dr. and Mrs. Samuel F. Grove.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his faithful canine companion, Ali.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, the former Hope Pullen; his beloved children: son, Samuel Gilbert Grove; daughter, Rachel Augusta Grove; son-in-law, Kyle Thomsen; and little granddaughter, Ardis Hope Grove-Thomsen who was a joy in her Papaw’s life; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Dwight and Karen Pullen, Pam Crawford, John and Renae Hoffman and Jimmy and Janis Rule; nieces and nephews, Jamie Rule, Jake (Bojana) Rule, Sarah Hoffman, Julia (Taylor) Jennings, Hank Hoffman, Emma Hoffman, Norman (Julie Ann) Pullen, Cynthia (Leonard) Taylor, Rebecca Pullen, Eric Crawford, Maria Crawford; great nieces and nephews, Stefan and Ana Rule, Logan and Lucy Pullen, and Mason Taylor; cousin, Eugene Grove; and special friends, Robert W. Gray III, Joe Moyer, Bobby Moyer, Leonard Lynch, Buddy Hullett, Al McKechnie, and Bill Darrach whom he loved like brothers.
Sam was a member of Waynesboro High School Class of 1953. He was a proud alumni of Roanoke College Class of 1957 where he was a Kappa Alpha. While at Roanoke College, he operated one of the world’s smallest radio stations set up for the benefit of students in Wells Hall. Following graduation from Roanoke College, he attended Duke University until enlisting in the U.S. Army. He was a Private First Class. He taught Biology, U.S. History, Sociology, Consumer Economics, General Science and World History in Vance County, NC for five years. In 1965 he returned to Waynesboro to teach eighth grade history at Kate Collins Junior High School, later becoming the Audio Visual Administrator for Waynesboro Public Schools. He retired in June of 1998 with 38 years of service in Education.
He was a lifetime member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Sam was a former member of the Fishersville Ruritan Club, and the Elks and Kiwanis of Waynesboro. He was a member of Basic City Lodge No. 29, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was made a Master Mason in 1962 and had served as Worshipful Master of Lee Lodge No. 209, like his father before him. Sam was a fifty-year Mason. He was a member of Waynesboro Union Royal Arch Chapter No. 2, where he served as High Priest; a member of Stevenson Commandery No. 8, K.T. and served as Eminent Commander; a member of Valley Council No. 56 Allied Masonic Degrees and served as Sovereign Master. He was a Knight, York Cross of Honor in King Darius Council. Sam was a former member of the Shriners. He enjoyed being a member of the Plumb House Gang, the Thursday Morning Breakfast Group and the Retired Educators Breakfast Group. He loved baseball, big band and bluegrass music, watching “B” westerns, fishing, and of course, fellowship with friends. He will be remembered for his quick wit, generous spirit, honesty, patriotism and dedication to his church and Masonic organizations.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, 618 W. Main St., Waynesboro.
Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 14, 2019 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 500 S. Wayne Ave., Waynesboro with Pastor Paul Pingel officiating. Inurnment with Masonic rites will follow in Augusta Memorial Park.
Those desiring may make memorial donations to Augusta Health Foundation, c/o Hospice of the Shenandoah, P.O. Box 1000, Fishersville, VA 22939 or to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.
Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com
