Roy James Van Grove

Roy Van Grove, a Southern California native who taught math at Mira Mesa High School in San Diego for 27 years and was known by his students as both “Mr. VG” and “coach,” died Feb. 14, 2025. He was 69. He passed away from complications due to Alzheimer’s disease. Roy James Van Grove was born in Santa Monica on March 9, 1955. He grew up in Pacific Palisades and Idyllwild with his parents, Florence and Joseph Van Grove, and his older brother, Tim. An avid sports fan, Roy started playing baseball at a young age. His heroes were Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, pitchers for the LA Dodgers, and broadcaster Vin Scully. He later went on to become the star pitcher for the varsity baseball team at Pacific Palisades High School and was known for his unhittable curveball. Roy also played basketball. He loved to tell the story about the rumor that he was the backup center to Bill Walton on the legendary UCLA basketball team. In reality, he tried out for the junior varsity team in 1974, playing briefly with Bill Walton under Coach John Wooden. He was the last guy cut from the team. Roy met his wife, Gloria Peck, while attending UCLA. They got engaged in January 1976 and moved to San Diego after graduation. The couple married on Jan. 9, 1977, at a church in Imperial Beach. They moved to Mira Mesa after Roy received his secondary teaching credential from SDSU in 1978. The couple had two children, Jennifer and Jeffrey. Roy’s passion for sports accidentally transitioned into a several decades-long tenure as a youth and high school coach. After initially turning down a request to coach his young daughter’s soccer team, he felt compelled to volunteer because no one else would – despite never having played soccer. He continued to coach both girls and boys soccer in the following years, and he eventually served as the chief coach for AYSO. Roy went on to coach boys and girls junior varsity soccer at Mira Mesa High School. He also started the girls golf program at the high school and coached the boys golf team, too. Roy loved golf and appreciated the ability to regularly play at the high school’s home course, Torrey Pines Golf Course. Encouraged by his young daughter to attend church, Roy became a Christian in his early 30s. He responded to an altar call by the late Pastor Ray Bentley at Maranatha Chapel. The decision shaped his life profoundly and he grew to become a bold evangelist, often witnessing to strangers and students. He also lived his life following the two greatest commandments identified by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-40. Roy loved God and he loved people. Music skills ran in the Van Grove family, and Roy had a natural ability to play songs by ear on the piano. He used this talent to entertain friends and family and to serve as the worship leader for his home fellowship. He will be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father, dedicated teacher and Mira Mesa community servant. Roy is survived by his wife Gloria, his brother Tim (Susan), and his children, Jennifer (Nathan Squillace) and Jeffrey (Aubrey). He is also survived by five grandchildren: Jensen Spradley, Landon Van Grove, Domenico Squillace, Makena Squillace and Ella Squillace.