CW3 Warren Roy Groff Jr.

God called him home Tuesday evening, July 30th, 2024, while a hospice resident at Frank Tejeda Texas State Veterans Home in Floresville, Texas.

He was a son, brother, husband, father, and Papaw extraordinaire. He was a child of God.

Riding motorcycles and riding bulls (rodeo) played significant parts in Warren’s youth. He was no stranger to injuries. As an 18yr Navy Medevac Corpsman serving in the Vietnam War (1966-68) attached to the 1st Marine Division, his youthful innocence abruptly ended with his first helicopter landing in a “Hot LZ” to pick up the wounded, stabilize them, and take them to the MASH Unit in the rear.

In 1968, during a mission in Vietnam, Warren, a Medevac Corpsman, was always the first off and the last on the helicopter. Tragically, the helicopter pilot was shot and killed, and Warren was blown out of the aircraft as he hadn't yet fastened his harness. Remarkably, he was the only survivor of the crash, albeit with severe injuries that required him to be sent home for recovery.

After being stabilized at a hospital in Japan, Warren was transferred to Corpus Christi NAS for further recovery. Upon arriving at an airport in Washington State, he faced further adversity when protesters called him names like "baby killer" and spat upon him while he was lying on a gurney. This traumatic experience left an enduring impact on Warren, leading to a lasting mental injury that would necessitate medication. However, with God and the support of his faith, Warren persevered through numerous obstacles during his 76 years here on earth.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren and Florence Groff, his older sister, Claretta Groff Clement, and his grandparents, Edwin and Julia (Edwards)Groff and Ray and Claretta (Weber) Finney, mother in law, Mary Brown.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Linda Burroughs Groff, and his children: son Matt (Christi) Groff, and daughter Mary (Rob) Presley. Grandchildren: Mariah Jeffreys, Haley Groff, Hannah Groff Tipton (Jaden), Faith Jeffreys, Austin Jeffreys, Chloe Presley, Sienna Presley. Sister, Margaret Groff Groshon (Don). Brothers Jerry Burroughs, David Shipp, Michael Burroughs, Mark Canfield, Ray Clement.

Warren treasured his lifelong friend(s) Manuel (Hilda) Martinez, John (Debbie) Harlow, his church family, and friends & family of Llano. Warren’s aunt, RayAnn Finney Merchant, was his special childhood playmate (as only 9 months separated them in age).

Aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews will undoubtedly have memories of his stories and jokes to share with others.

Having met the love of his life at a family reunion (no, not his) and courted her, they were married 8 months later. They celebrated their 54th anniversary on May 2, 2024, with pizza for his nurses.

As a believer in God the Father, Jesus Christ his son, and the Holy Spirit & by living his life as such, he never met a stranger. What a salesman he was, & His gift of gab was a considerable asset. He loved his family, his friends, and his country. He shared his beliefs and love with those he encountered, young and old alike.

After marrying and welcoming two babies, Matt and Mary, Warren re-enlisted, this time in the U.S. Army (radar target acquisition). Always a wonderful provider for his family, Warren’s military career sent them all to various places including across the ocean. In August 1990 Warren and his fellow soldiers of Fort Campbell, Kentucky’s 101st Airborne were deployed to Desert Shield & Desert Storm, returning safely on Easter Sunday 1991.

Retiring in November 1992 Warren moved his family to Houston, Tx and he worked for UCS as a salesman, where he excelled. He had been a natural soldier who just happened to have natural gift in sales. Both were God-given.

With Matt in college and after Mary graduated high school, Warren and Linda eventually moved to Llano. It is a wonderful small town, living there was very easy. Our church family has been such a blessing. God has placed us all together for his glory, for which Warren and I were and are forever grateful. Warren has always been my protector, provider, and Christian example. We were partners; we were a team.

Warren was always a hard worker and could do almost anything he set his mind to. He loved woodworking and was so proud of his workshop in our home in Llano (the longest time our family lived in one home was almost 20 years). He had survived two wars and so many other injuries, including a life-altering fall when his power chair rolled backward (while going up a small ramp), throwing him off and onto his neck on the pavement on January 26, 2024. This catastrophic event was life-altering. He survived major cervical fusion surgery on February 2, 2024, but the paralysis of his hands and left leg continued to progress while he spent weeks in skilled nursing care.

We thank the good Lord for giving us 54 years ago and it is through his grace and mercy that we live and continue to honor Warren.

A visitation for Warren will be held from 1:00pm to 2:00pm Saturday, August 17, 2024 with funeral service to begin at 2:00pm at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, TX 78148.

A committal service with military honors will be held from 10:00am-10:20am Friday, August 23, 2024 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209.

Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family below in the “Add a Memory” section.