John Robert Grope

Bob was born on May 28, 1935, in Youngstown, Ohio, to John Luther and Alverda Phyllis Grope. After graduation from high school, he joined the US Army and while there he met his future bride Phyllis, who was serving in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). Following his separation from the Army, Bob and his new family settled in Canfield, Ohio until moving to Texas to work for General Dynamics.

Bob was a baseball fan having played throughout his youth and while in the Army. He worked in various capacities with youth baseball including the early years of the Pioneer Youth Association (PYA, now known as PYBSA) in Saginaw, Texas. Bob and others worked tirelessly to establish permanent ball fields in the early/mid-1970s which resulted in the fields near the Windy Ryon Arena. He was a Texas Rangers fan and was thrilled when they won the World Series. Bob enjoyed auto racing, visiting many tracks with his brothers, was an avid bowler, and liked to travel with his wife and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Phyllis Grope; sons, Douglas Grope (Joann) and Rodney Grope; sister, Connie Coriston; six grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, David, James (Butch), Dennis (Porky), and Richard (Ricky).

A visitation will be held on Wednesday July 8 from 6-8PM at the Shannon Rufe Snow Funeral Chapel. Interment will be at the DFW National Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the many home health, palliative, and hospice caregivers and the Haslet Fire Department for their tremendous compassion, graciousness, and support over the last couple of years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to Community Healthcare of Texas, Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, or bake something good for the Haslet FD.