Obituaries

James Edgar Groce (88), a lifelong Sherman resident, died Sunday, June 5, 2016 in Sherman. Services will be held at the Dannel Funeral Home Chapel at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 9. Rev. Joe Ed Goolsby and Rev. Jack Gibson, current and former pastors of the First United Methodist Church in Sherman, will officiate. Burial will follow at Friendship Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded at the graveside. Arrangements are under the direction of Dannel Funeral Home. Mr. Groce was born in Sherman on January 14, 1928, son of John and Bettie Groce. He attended Austin College and Grayson Country College. Enlisting in the Marines during World War II, he later served active duty tours in the Army. He was a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College. He continued to serve in the National Guard and Army Reserve, retiring as a colonel after 33 years of service. Mr. Groce also retired as Superintendent from the Sherman Post Office with 38 years of employment. Mr. Groce was a lifelong Methodist and an active member of the First United Methodist Church serving on the Administration Board and as a member of the Adult Fellowship Sunday School Class. He was a 60 year member of the Travis Lodge #117 A.F. & A.M., a member of the Scottish Rite and also a Shriner. He was the Past Patron of the Carpenter’s Chapter #183 of the Eastern Star and member of the Past Matron/Patron Club. Mr. Groce was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and also of the Military Officers Association of America. He was a life member of the National Guard Association of Texas, Reserve Officers Association; Julian C. Hyer Lions Youth Camp and Sherman X-Student’s Association. He was also a former 25 year member of the Sherman Noon Lions Club and a former member of the Sherman Museum Board of Directors. He married Wanda Adams on July 10, 1947 in Sherman and they shared a love of traveling pursuing their hobby extensively, including most of the 50 states as well as many foreign countries. He enjoyed playing golf and worked at the Colonial Golf tournament as a Marshall for 12 years. Surviving are his wife of 68 years, Wanda, and their daughter, Judy Wilson of Boston, Massachusetts; sister-in-laws: Gladys Groce of Whitesboro, Oma Lee Groce of Fort Worth, Carolee Adams of Fort Worth; brother-in-law and sister-in law Thomas and Jerri Jarvis of Sherman; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Nora Swofferd, Lucylle Wright, Frances Loyd and Billie Anderson; brothers: George, John, Claude, Charles, Elbert , Emmett, Ted, Thomas and David. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the healthcare providers at Traditions Senior Living & Memory Care, Advantx Home Care Inc and Hospice Plus. They also would like to extend a special heartfelt thanks to Dr. J. Michael Benson. Pallbearers will be Timothy Hansard, Tony Hansard, Taylor Hansard, David Jarvis, John Jarvis and Joe Michael Loyd . Honorary Pallbearers will be R.C. Harmon, Charles Chastain and Bob Wallis. Visitation will be at the Dannel Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 8, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 301 N. Elm, Sherman Texas 75090 or the charity of the donor’s choice.