Jack Groce

G. Jackson "Jack" Groce

Born March 9, 1932 in Fort Worth, Texas to Faye Jackson Groce and Byrle B. Groce, Jack left this life on June 12, 2018, surrounded by his loving children.  Jack was an Eagle Scout and a proud graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, Texas, where he served as Colonel of the Army ROTC.  Jack served his country in the U.S. Army, stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and was honorably discharged as a Corporal.

Jack married Frances Belk in Plainview, Texas on March 10, 1956.  They made their home in Houston, where daughters Cathy, Carrie and Gracie were born.  Working his way up from mail clerk to executive vice president of Falcon Manufacturing Company, the Groces lived in Dallas when—finally-- son Jared joined the family.

During his career in the furniture industry, Jack worked in manufacturing, in sales as a manufacturer's representative, and “retired” by opening retail stores in Gainesville, Whitesboro, Denton and Decatur.

Jack was a member of the Era Methodist Church and Era Masonic Lodge #796, achieving the honor of the Golden Trowel Award for Exceptional Service in 2015.  He also had fond memories of traveling to Paris, France for the Boy Scout Jamboree in 1944.

Jack loved hunting, fishing, camping, his White Hawk Ranch, (home of the legendary Dye Cafe), guitar music, raising miniature donkeys, woodworking, reciting poetry and watching the sunset with a shot of bourbon whiskey.  Jack had friends all over the country, and was known for reciting funny poems and sayings, his home-brewed philosophy, and his ability and unquenchable desire to speak on virtually any subject.

Jack is survived by his children, Catherine Lloyd and husband, Donny of Gainesville, Carrie McGehee and husband Michael Thalasinos of Flower Mound, Grace Weatherly and fiancé Michael Mayfield, of Corinth, and Jared Jackson Groce and wife, Leah of Era, Texas.  Grandchildren Ryan Weatherly, Cody Jack Robison, Brady Green, Kristy Greanead, Colby Green, Bailey Green, Carly McGehee, Alex Groce, Kiley Edington, Jackilyn Groce and Samantha Faythe Groce.  Great-grandchildren Tayton McKenzie, Caden Jack Greanead, Emma Green, Kaley Robison, Hannah Green, Cameron Childress, Makinna Green, Kyndel Green, Kinsley Nance, Benjamin Jack Green, Lillian Edington, Abigail Groce, Tucker Greanead, Elliott Weatherly, Charli Greanead, Jaxi Gane, and Elzie Edington.  He is also survived by one cousin, Dotty Rae Kilpatrick of Dallas, Texas.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Frances, of 59 years, his parents, brother Byrle B. Groce, Jr., and grandson, Nathan Weatherly.

The family sends their heartfelt thanks to caregivers Margaret Macrae and Rachelle Gall and Home Hospice of Cooke County.  Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home in Gainesville.  There will be a family visitation at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13 at The White Hawk Ranch, 245 C.R. 285, Gainesville, Texas 76240.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Era Methodist Church.