Barry Dale Gruver

Barry Dale Gruver was the only child of Oliver and Eleanor Kern Gruver born on April 16, 1939, in Allentown, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Allentown High School, he attended and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Penn State University. In his later years, he earned his Master’s of Counseling from Troy State University.

In 1962, Barry was commissioned as an Officer in the United States Air Force where he served as a Navigator flying B-52s and C-130s. He also served as a faculty instructor with the Royal Air Force based in Bracknell, Berkshire, England and at the Air War College at Maxwell AFB during his military career. Barry met his beloved wife of 35 years, Karen Urban of Orland, California, when he was stationed in Sacramento. Prior to his wife’s passing in 2000, the two, together with their 3 daughters enjoyed seeing other parts of the world while Barry was stationed in Japan, South Dakota and England before retiring at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama in 1984. After Barry’s military service, he went to work with the City of Montgomery Housing Authority.

Barry was an incredibly loving husband and an amazing dad and role model. He was very passionate about music. He enjoyed playing the piano and the banjo and could belt out a John Denver or a Peter, Paul and Mary tune with the best of them on his guitar. The Unicorn Song was his favorite to play and sing to his girls when they were little. He liked to watch football especially when his Penn State Nittany Lions were having a good season. He was highly skilled with wood working and enjoyed making heartfelt gifts for others. Barry was an exceptionally devoted pet parent loving on his own furry friends as well as working with and training dogs to become guide dogs to assist individuals with vision loss or blindness. Barry put his love of music to great use as he was very active in playing guitar and singing in the St. Bede Church Choir for many years. He was also a long-time member of the Kawanis Club of Montgomery.

Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Eleanor Kern Gruver and his wife of 35 years, Karen Edene Gruver. He is survived by their three daughters, Joyce Wright (Brandt), Jolynn Armagost (Brian), and Janeen Heideman (Eric); five grandchildren, Cameron Baker (Jacob), Josh Coker (Brittany), Caroline Unger (Joe), Justin Heideman and John David Heideman; and six great grandchildren, Sadie Baker, Saylor Baker, Bianca Unger, Colton Coker, Kylynn Coker and Camden Coker.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 10:50 AM on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at St Bede Catholic Church in the Parish Hall 3870 Atlanta Highway Montgomery, AL 36109 with a funeral mass to begin at 11:00 AM. Committal services will be held at 12 noon in Alabama Heritage Cemetery 10505 Atlanta Highway Montgomery, AL 36117.

In Lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to the Montgomery Humane Society 1150 John Overton Dr, Montgomery, AL 36110, Catholic Social Services of Montgomery 4455 Narrow Lane Rd, Montgomery, AL 36116, The United Way of Central Alabama Veterans Services 3600 8th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35222 or the charity of your choice.

The family would also like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Williams Loving Care with a special thanks to his primary caregiver, Terika Stovall, and to the staff of Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City, Alabama.