John Groce

John Cecil Groce was born on February 2, 1926 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the first living child of Eva Hughston Groce and William Herbert Groce. His only brother, William H. Groce, Jr., was born November 1, 1927. They went to schools in Lyman, South Carolina, until high school when John transferred to Spartanburg High School. He excelled in math and electronics, leading him to technical jobs at the local radio stations, WSPA and WORD, in his teen years. He learned to love the classical music that he put on the air as the station engineer. Following high school, he attended Georgia Tech until going into the Navy during World War II. He trained as a radio technician, serving his country on duty in the Philippines and Leyte Gulf. Upon honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to Georgia Tech where he completed his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1948. He was given a scholarship to MIT, where he taught underclassmen and earned his MS degree in Electronics. While at MIT, he married his Georgia sweetheart Anne Roberts and on December 27, 1950, they had their first child, John Leslie. Places of employment following MIT were Transducer Corporation in Massachusetts, ITT in New Jersey, and Aeronutronic, RCA and private consulting for Lockheed in California. From the age of twelve, John has been active in Amateur Radio, earning his certification from Novice to Extra Class. He has been an active member in the Quarter Century Wireless Association for 35 years. John served as a Deacon and Trustee in the Baptist Church. Impressions during John?s growing up years At last a son was born to Eva and Herbert Groce after two miscarriages! The parents and grandmother were so thrilled that they gave the doctor?s name, Cecil, to the baby boy. He became John (after his maternal grandfather), Cecil (after the physician) Groce. Though most called him John, to his mother he was ?Cecil?. Grandmother Charlotte, aka Lottie, Hughston?s husband was John Hughston, the first student at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind in Cedar Springs. He was deaf and a very intelligent man. In a few years, Eva and Herbert had a second son and named him William Herbert Groce, Jr., calling him Billy. The boys and their Dad enjoyed camping together in the woods around the little milltown of Lyman, South Carolina. Before it was incorporated, Herbert and Eva held various jobs with the Pacific Mill. Eva became the town Post Mistress and Herbert held a position to keep law and order for the milltown residents. Later, he had a gas station, a well drilling outfit, and ultimately became a politician in the South Carolina legislature in Columbia. With Eva and Herbert both working, Grandmother Hughston managed the home and the boys during the day, with the help of domestic help from Willy Mae and Jenny V. The children loved to practice pitching softball, play with their dog Skippy, and even a pet ground hog (a birthday present for Cecil?s February 2nd birthday.) Lyman was a lovely community where John grew to love tennis, developed an interest in communications (ham radio), was active in the Baptist Church youth group and Scouting. He enjoyed Sunday school in the morning and Baptist Training Union in the evening. The old gospel hymns still are his favorites for listening and singing. John accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was eleven years old. He felt God?s guidance as he developed skill and interest in technical subjects. He was often asked to run the movie house projector at the town theater. He and Vernon Goforth became quite inventive in setting up wiring between their homes for communication with their early model ham radio gear. In 1938, John was the youngest applicant to pass the ham radio electronics and code testing in the Southeast. After Jr. High in Lyman, John attended High School in Spartanburg where he could take classes in math and technical subjects that were not offered in Lyman. Upon graduation, he had the academic background to qualify for admission to Georgia Tech. He attended Tech for about two years before volunteering for military service. World War II had started and young men were being drafted. With John?s technical background, he qualified for the Navy?s program for radio technicians. The war with Japan was reaching a close, but in 1942 the Philippines fell into the hands of the Japanese and was still a very dangerous place. Japanese soldiers were hiding out in the hills when John arrived at Leyte Gulf. He set up communication to capture strategic messages from Japanese forces and enable communication between American forces. October 20, 1944, was a day of redemption when General MacArthur returned to the Philippines. John was within a few feet of the General when he waded from his ship through the waters at Leyte to begin the liberation of the Philippine people. John served as a Radio Technician until 1946 when he was honorably discharged and returned to the U.S. via San Francisco. As his ship came into the harbor, his brother?s ship passed his, taking Bill for his tour of duty with the Navy. John returned to Georgia Tech to complete his degree in Electrical Engineering. He graduated in 1948 and was awarded a scholarship to MIT?s graduate school. The climate in Cambridge, Massachusetts was so cold that first year that he decided it was time for a partner, so plans for marriage began. When he came home for Christmas, he had picked out an engagement ring for Anne and plans began for a wedding the summer of 1949. She managed to get her college credits transferred to Boston University so she could complete her B.A. degree in Biology. John continued to teach undergraduates at MIT and completed his Master?s degree in Electrical Engineering graduate by 1950. That year of 1949-1950 was bitterly cold but the happy married couple loved their life together. They found Christian couples, with cars, to help get them around to church and grocery stores. The Baptist churches in Massachusetts were different from those in South Carolina but the message of Christ?s redemptive love was the same. During that cold winter of 1950, John and Anne were blessed with their first born son, John Leslie. Employment opportunities moved them from Massachusetts to New Jersey. It was there that their family grew to include two sweet daughters, Patty in 1954 and Elaine in 1957. The West Coast was booming with work for the talented Engineer. John and Anne moved their young family to Southern California where they enjoyed many happy years. Their family continued to grow with the addition of 8 beautiful grandchildren. Retirement moved them to the charming town of Prescott, AZ, for 22 years. It was in Prescott that John's love of music blossomed into singing. John had a beautiful voice and knew the words to every verse of many popular songs from the 40's - 50's and loved participating in Senior singing groups. Most recently, John and Anne moved to Walnut Creek, CA to live closer to their family. John will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially his family. His life will be celebrated at the Community Presbyterian Church in Danville on Friday, March 18th at noon.