Jennings "Jerry" Groah Jr.

Jennings Wilbur Groah, Jr. (aka Jerry or J.W.) was born July 6, 1929, and passed away on Feb 6, 2024, at the age of 94. Jerry was born to Jennings and Marie Groah in Plus, West Virginia and grew up on his family farm with four younger siblings, in a house they built in Stockport, Ohio. He was very athletic in high school, winning awards running track/cross country and playing football, graduating in 1947 from DuPont High School, in Belle, West Virginia.

He proudly served in the Air Force beginning in 1948. Then in 1949, while serving at Chanute Air Force Base, IL, he married his high school sweetheart, Helen Higginbotham, that he had met at a school dance (where he picked her shoe out of a pile). He was honorably discharged in 1950 from Robins Air Force Base, GA and then served in the Air Force reserves for five more years.

Jerry and Helen resided in Quincy, West Virginia for a short time then moved to McConnelsville, Ohio where Jerry was cutting timber for a living. Jerry joined the Masons while in Ohio in the mid-1950s and was a member for more than 50 years. They moved to Columbus, Ohio where Jerry attended college at THE Ohio State University. While not receiving a formal engineering degree, he loved and was proficient at all things mechanical.

Jerry and Helen moved to Titusville, Florida in 1958 to be a part of the space program including the Mercury Program. He began as a quality control inspector and one of his proud moments was being part of the team to launch John Glenn into space. It was in Titusville that they had three children, having a set of twins first. After leaving the space program, he began his own heavy equipment business, clearing land and helping develop various neighborhoods in the Titusville and Mims area. Due to reputation and his hard work, a street was named after him in Mims, Groah Ave. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Titusville then, after moving to Mims, he was a member of Mims United Methodist Church.

While residing in Florida, Jerry enjoyed taking family road trips to visit out of state friends and relatives. He enjoyed outdoor activities including camping, fishing, and boating. As part of his boating experience, he was a charter member in 1960, and very active in the Cape Canaveral Power Squadron where he was an instructor and Lt. Commander. Later, he developed a passion for antique cars and metal/woodworking projects in his shop, completing many projects for his children and grandchildren. He used skills in his shop as teaching moments for his grandchildren and encouraged hands-on work. He also enjoyed traveling the United States with his wife, visiting nearly every state. His travels included many antique car shows displaying his 1931 Model A Ford. He drove his antique Ford in many Christmas parades, where the grandchildren enjoyed throwing candy to the crowd. He loved his family, shared many memories with family and friends through his story telling, and had a great sense of humor.

He is predeceased by his parents and two of his siblings, Frances Nicely and Rosie Groah. He is survived by his wife of 74 years Helen, sister Shirley Rowland, brother David Groah (Pat), three children - Kevin, Karen Hudson (Mark) and Melodie Jackson (Kevin), five grandchildren - David Groah, Megan Porta (Chris), Jeremy Porta (Lauren), Jacob Groah and Michael Groah, and one great granddaughter Leighton Porta.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Brevard Memorial Park, 320 Spring Street, Cocoa, FL 32927.