Born 12 March 1931 Died 25 December 2018
Father, Quilter, Genealogist, Lover of Music, Family and Friends |
SERVICES
Thursday, Jan 3, 2019
10AM Visitation
11AM Funeral
AA Rayner and Sons Funeral Home, 318 East 71st St, Chicago, IL 60619.
773-846-6133
Military Interment 2:30 PM
Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W Hoff Rd, Elwood, IL 60421
Obituary
Otis Gardner Grove, Jr., a long time resident of Chicago, IL and more recently of Madison, WI died peacefully on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 with the support of family and Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care. He was 87.
Otis G. Grove, Jr. was born in Mobile, Alabama on March 12, 1931 to Hazel and Otis G. Grove, one of four siblings: Rosa Langham, Gloria Jean Russell and LeBaron Grove. He graduated from Most Pure Heart of Mary High School in Mobile in 1947. A lifelong learner and educator, Otis later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in History and Culture. He taught Biology and Chemistry in the following Chicago area high schools: Lane Tech, Percy L. Julian, and Calumet Career Preparatory Academy.
He married Mary Louise Burroughs in 1954. The couple had one son, Ronald Williams. Otis was proud to serve in the United States Armed Forces in Korea during the Korean War from 1955 to 1957. Sergeant Grove returned with three bronze stars and an honorable discharge for his service as a medic. Otis met and married Josephine Blount in 1964. The couple raised James Andre Robinson and Dawn Denise Robinson, Jo’s children from a previous union, and had two children of their own, Kimberli Josephine Grove and Otis G. Grove, III.
He is preceded in death by his parents Otis and Hazel Grove, and by his lifelong friend and loving companion, Dorothy P. Clark, recently deceased on August 23, 2018.
Otis is survived by two sisters and one brother: Rosa Langham and Gloria Jean Russell (Robert), of Chicago and Lebaron Grove(Lillian) of Mobile, AL. He leaves behind the pride and joy of his life, 5 children, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandson: son Ronald Williams (spouse Carol and grandchildren Rhondalynn and Rian Williams), son Jim Robinson (spouse Kim Robinson and grandchildren Janell Robinson Byrd (spouse Brandon Byrd) and great-grandson Cameron, Kristopher Robinson (spouse Ali Robinson)) ,daughter Dawn Robinson (spouse Kat Wentworth), daughter Kim Miller (spouse Paul Miller and grandchildren Elena, Lydia and Liam Miller), son Otis G. Grove III (spouse Bethany Grove, grandchildren Otis IV, Alexander and Sophie). A host of nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends mourn his passing, including Dot Langham, Cynthia Vance, Paul Holmes and Melvin Ryan, and Lucille Giles. His investment club and quilting guild members also join us in our grief.
Throughout his life, Otis was a friend to all, and possessed an active, keen and curious mind. A scientist and history buff who experimented freely with baking, making Italian liqueurs, such as limoncello, and art of all kinds. He touched so many lives in his roles at Michael Reese Hospital, and as the Executive Director of the Harvey YMCA in Harvey, IL and the Chatham YMCA on the South Side of Chicago. He also headed the Monroe YMCA in Rochester, NY.
A repeat season ticket member of the Chicago Lyric Opera, Otis loved the Art Institute of Chicago and the Pullman neighborhood. He also enjoyed participating in Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs over the years, and and more recently, the Needles and Thread Quilting Guild of Chicago & The Afro-American Genealogical & Historical Society of Chicago.
Otis ran a successful florist business in the Chicago area, and with Dorothy, founded and ran the SPICE Investment Club, which flourished and provided wealth-building education and financial security to its membership for more than 20 years. Otis also loved quilting and was an avid quilter. He relished the history of this textile art form in the black community.
Oh, how we will miss his humor, his stories, his kindness, warmth and willingness to help anyone in need! We were lucky to have him, to love him and to be loved by him in return.
Visitation/Viewing is at 10AM, and a funeral service will begin at 11 AM.
A Military Burial is at 2:30 PM at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery at 20953 W. Hoff Rd., in Elwood, IL.
PLEASE NOTE: Because the burial is a scheduled appointment through the Office of Veterans Affairs, and is located an hour’s drive away, the family will not be able to host a repast after the services. We encourage you to gather in your own ways to eat together and celebrate Otis’s amazing life and share memories.
In lieu of flowers, we request that commemorative donations be made to the General Operating Fund of the Lyric Opera of Chicago in memory of Otis G. Grove, Jr.
Donate online at the link provided or via U.S. Mail:
Lyric Opera of Chicago
20 N. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Thursday, Jan 3, 2019
10AM Visitation
11AM Funeral
AA Rayner and Sons Funeral Home, 318 East 71st St, Chicago, IL 60619.
773-846-6133
Military Interment 2:30 PM
Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W Hoff Rd, Elwood, IL 60421
Obituary
Otis Gardner Grove, Jr., a long time resident of Chicago, IL and more recently of Madison, WI died peacefully on Tuesday, December 25, 2018 with the support of family and Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care. He was 87.
Otis G. Grove, Jr. was born in Mobile, Alabama on March 12, 1931 to Hazel and Otis G. Grove, one of four siblings: Rosa Langham, Gloria Jean Russell and LeBaron Grove. He graduated from Most Pure Heart of Mary High School in Mobile in 1947. A lifelong learner and educator, Otis later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in History and Culture. He taught Biology and Chemistry in the following Chicago area high schools: Lane Tech, Percy L. Julian, and Calumet Career Preparatory Academy.
He married Mary Louise Burroughs in 1954. The couple had one son, Ronald Williams. Otis was proud to serve in the United States Armed Forces in Korea during the Korean War from 1955 to 1957. Sergeant Grove returned with three bronze stars and an honorable discharge for his service as a medic. Otis met and married Josephine Blount in 1964. The couple raised James Andre Robinson and Dawn Denise Robinson, Jo’s children from a previous union, and had two children of their own, Kimberli Josephine Grove and Otis G. Grove, III.
He is preceded in death by his parents Otis and Hazel Grove, and by his lifelong friend and loving companion, Dorothy P. Clark, recently deceased on August 23, 2018.
Otis is survived by two sisters and one brother: Rosa Langham and Gloria Jean Russell (Robert), of Chicago and Lebaron Grove(Lillian) of Mobile, AL. He leaves behind the pride and joy of his life, 5 children, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandson: son Ronald Williams (spouse Carol and grandchildren Rhondalynn and Rian Williams), son Jim Robinson (spouse Kim Robinson and grandchildren Janell Robinson Byrd (spouse Brandon Byrd) and great-grandson Cameron, Kristopher Robinson (spouse Ali Robinson)) ,daughter Dawn Robinson (spouse Kat Wentworth), daughter Kim Miller (spouse Paul Miller and grandchildren Elena, Lydia and Liam Miller), son Otis G. Grove III (spouse Bethany Grove, grandchildren Otis IV, Alexander and Sophie). A host of nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends mourn his passing, including Dot Langham, Cynthia Vance, Paul Holmes and Melvin Ryan, and Lucille Giles. His investment club and quilting guild members also join us in our grief.
Throughout his life, Otis was a friend to all, and possessed an active, keen and curious mind. A scientist and history buff who experimented freely with baking, making Italian liqueurs, such as limoncello, and art of all kinds. He touched so many lives in his roles at Michael Reese Hospital, and as the Executive Director of the Harvey YMCA in Harvey, IL and the Chatham YMCA on the South Side of Chicago. He also headed the Monroe YMCA in Rochester, NY.
A repeat season ticket member of the Chicago Lyric Opera, Otis loved the Art Institute of Chicago and the Pullman neighborhood. He also enjoyed participating in Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs over the years, and and more recently, the Needles and Thread Quilting Guild of Chicago & The Afro-American Genealogical & Historical Society of Chicago.
Otis ran a successful florist business in the Chicago area, and with Dorothy, founded and ran the SPICE Investment Club, which flourished and provided wealth-building education and financial security to its membership for more than 20 years. Otis also loved quilting and was an avid quilter. He relished the history of this textile art form in the black community.
Oh, how we will miss his humor, his stories, his kindness, warmth and willingness to help anyone in need! We were lucky to have him, to love him and to be loved by him in return.
Visitation/Viewing is at 10AM, and a funeral service will begin at 11 AM.
A Military Burial is at 2:30 PM at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery at 20953 W. Hoff Rd., in Elwood, IL.
PLEASE NOTE: Because the burial is a scheduled appointment through the Office of Veterans Affairs, and is located an hour’s drive away, the family will not be able to host a repast after the services. We encourage you to gather in your own ways to eat together and celebrate Otis’s amazing life and share memories.
In lieu of flowers, we request that commemorative donations be made to the General Operating Fund of the Lyric Opera of Chicago in memory of Otis G. Grove, Jr.
Donate online at the link provided or via U.S. Mail:
Lyric Opera of Chicago
20 N. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
I just want everyone to be happy
— Otis G
— Otis G