Colonel Warren Groves

Colonel Alonzo Warren Groves passed away at the Texas Veterans Home in Temple TX on Monday March 9th, 2015 at the age of 93 after a 7 year bout with Alzheimer's disease. Warren was born on August 4th 1921 in Good Springs, Alabama to Christopher Fred and Mary Gertrude Fondren Groves. On February 6th, 1943, he married the love of his life Juanita Adams "Nita" at the Post Chapel on Lubbock Airfield, TX. They were blessed with 3 children; Sandra, Anthony "Tony," and Melanie. Warren served 31 years in the Army Air Force and the United States Air Force. He voluntarily enlisted in the Army Air Force January 3, 1942, less than one month after the attack on Pearl Harbor. After initially beginning training as an aircraft mechanic, he applied for the Aviation School Program and attended initial flight training at Kelly Field, TX. His training continued at Curtis Field Brady, TX where he met Nita. He earned his wings and was promoted to Flight Officer at Lubbock Field, TX. During the first year, Nita followed him through 10 stateside duty stations prior to his assignment to North Africa in C-46, C-47 & C-54 aircraft where he was commissioned a 2nd LT and later promoted to 1st LT prior to the end of WWII. In 1945, he was transferred to Hamilton Field, CA where he was allowed to take leave so he could bring Nita and the daughter he had not seen until she was 13 months old. He separated from active duty in 1947 and returned to Brady and then to Brownwood before being recalled to active duty in 1951 as a Captain. His assignments included bases in Texas, Germany, Alabama, Georgia, Viet Nam, Nevada, Louisiana, and South Carolina. Retirement in 1973, Warren & Nita moved to Austin, TX and then to Brady in 1979. He was a Command Pilot, an instructor at the Air Command & Staff College, Commander of an F-100 squadron in Viet Nam with 209 combat missions, Director of Material at the Fighter Weapons Wing at Nellis AFB Nevada, Vice Commander of a F-100 Wing and Director of Logistics for 9th Air Force. Warren, his son and grandson were all Air Force instructor pilots with combat tours and all had been trained at Sheppard AFB during their careers. He was close friends with many famous aviators including Chuck Yeager and astronauts Deke Slayton and Ed White His decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, 4 Meritorious Service Medals, the Bronze Star Medal, 11 Air Medals, 3 Air Force Commendation Medals, 2 Presidential Unit Citations along with numerous service & campaign medals. Warren was a devoted husband, father and servant in his community. He was a man faith honor and integrity. After retiring from military service, he was active in service organizations & instrumental in the construction of the First Baptist Church building complex where he worshipped and taught Sunday School. He was a dedicated member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 36 years including 8 years on the Board of Directors of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of the Concho Valley. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the McCulloch County Chamber of Commerce in 1987. Accolades of his service, friendship and concern for others are continuously passed to his family. He was preceded in death by his parents; Christopher Fred & Mary Gertrude Groves; his brother Nathan Groves, adopted brother Bobby Nathan Groves, sister Ruby Lee Davis, and an infant sister. Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Juanita Adams Groves of Brady; 4 sisters, Roeverni Griffith, Mauevine Van Alyne of Cordova AL, Bobby Nell Franklin of Jasper, AL; Naomi Odom of Garden Dale AL; 3 Children; Sandra Blair & her husband George of Brady, Colonel Anthony Groves& his wife Janis of Brady, and Melanie Groves of Brownwood; and 6 grandchildren: Bliss Collier, Warren Collier and wife Lisa, Bradley McHugh and wife Lainie, Holly Groves, Heather and husband Carl Viets, and Major Adam Groves & wife Jody; 11 great grandchildren; and chosen extended family Mable Jones, Stephanie Wdisen and Sandra McClean. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be made in memory of Colonel Alonzo Warren Groves to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or to the charity of your choice.

Colonel Warren Groves

August 8, 1921 - March 9, 2015