Eric J. Groves

Eric Jonathon Groves was born in Philadelphia, PA, December 8, 1942. He graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1964. While at Dickinson he served as President of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He served Active Duty with the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps from 1964-1966, separating with the rank of First Lieutenant. His last assignment was in Oklahoma. He stayed and entered the Oklahoma University Law School, earning his Juris Doctorate degree from OU in 1970. He excelled in both written and oral communication throughout his life; while in law school, he worked as a reporter for several publications and newspapers.

He began his fifty-four-year legal career as a trial lawyer in the litigation section of Buck, Crabtree, Groves & Ransdell. In 1971, he served as Associate General Counsel with the Oklahoma Securities Commission. He joined the firm of Jernigan, Groves, Bleakley & Tague in 1976. The firm became Groves, Bleakley & Tague in 1980. He became Of Counsel to the Center for Education Law in 1986. At the time of his death, he had made the decision to retire and close the firm of Groves & Associates which he founded in 1999. Highlights of his career include being admitted to practice in the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals of the 10th Circuit, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, and all other Oklahoma Courts. Several lawsuits he helmed had lasting impacts on justice in OKC, including important protections for the LGBTQ+ community against illegal searches, harassment, and false arrests.

Groves was a devoted city servant for decades. He served as Ward 2 City Councilman for the City of Oklahoma City from 1974-1980, serving as Vice Mayor in 1976. He also served an interim term on the Council in 1999, during which he assisted with the development of the Oklahoma City National Memorial. He was appointed Chairman of Finance, Housing and Cable TV Committees and helped initiate cable TV in OKC. He served as Judge Temporary Division, Court of Appeals for the State of Oklahoma in 1983. Other highlights include: Chairman, Oklahoma City Bond Advisory Committee, 1994-2004; Member, Metropolitan Area Projects Citizens Oversight Board (MAPS) 1994-2004; and Member, Mayor's General Fund Revenue Task Force 2004. He was a frequent speaker at law seminars and community gatherings, and became a go-to lawyer for zoning and land use cases.

Eric had a strong sense of values and believed in preserving the past, when it became apparent help was needed. He represented many historical neighborhoods, helping to protect them from commercial encroachment or non-appropriate designs. He served as Trustee of the Edgemere Historical Preservation Inc. from 1996 to present. His love for the arts found him engaged as President of Ballet Oklahoma, 1989-1990, later serving as a board member. He was a frequent attendee of arts benefits and fundraisers across Oklahoma.

Friends of Eric will remember him for his wit, political engagements, and love of comic books. Beginning in 1978 he sent his friends and family an elaborate Christmas card ranging from mystery stories with prizes to the winning sleuth, radio shows, poems, rap, comics, and even a tabloid newspaper named The National Rutabaga. He drew inspiration from his encyclopedic knowledge of film, music, and culture, as well as his love of the written word. He played pick-up basketball at the YMCA for many decades and could be found bodysurfing waves in Stone Harbor, NJ, every summer (followed by ice cream at Springer's, of course). He was the Number One fan of Bob Dylan and loved fine wine and food, driving across the country exploring diners and flea markets, all things irreverent, and his cat, Isabelle. Integrity, friendship, and humor were his guiding stars.

Eric is survived by his sister, Linda Lockhart and her husband Jack of Gaithersburg, MD, his niece Dr. Tara Lockhart and her husband Reid Spice of San Francisco, his niece Dr. Nicole Lockhart and her husband, Mark Caulder and their children, Lark and Jacob of North Potomac, MD. He is also survived by his nephew Bruce Smith of Moore, OK, his long-time life partner Mary R. Grace of Oklahoma City, and their cat, Margaret.

Funeral services will be by Hahn-Cook, 6600 Broadway Extension, on Friday, July 18th at 2:00 pm. Donations may be made to Oklahoma Humane Society or a charity of your choosing.