Tom set out for his final fishing trip, ending his time on earth peacefully in Phoenix, Arizona on September 5, 2022. He was born in Phoenix on August 30, 1933, and recently celebrated his 89th birthday with his immediate family surrounding him. Of course, we ate his favorite meal, Mexican food. Tom was a proud veteran, avid fisherman (tied his own flies), amateur photographer, dedicated coin collector (and of so many other artifacts), hiker of Arizona trails, and master of the BBQ every Sunday evening. Tom was especially honored to serve in the U.S. Navy, aboard the USS O’Brien during the Korean War. After an honorable discharge in 1956, he began a long career working for Arizona Public Service. He soon met his wife, Mary Ann, and they were married in 1957, and quickly expanded their family with four daughters (no boys allowed, except Dad). After his retirement from Arizona Public Service, he and his siblings embarked on many adventures throughout Arizona to old mining towns, rode the trains in northern Arizona, and visited the diverse landscape of the state he loved. He also occasionally reunited with shipmates from the USS O’Brien to reminisce about their time at sea. He loved his family, especially his “Grove Girls.” He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; his daughters, Karen Woodhouse, Jill Andrews (Marc), Jennifer Whallon, and Kelleigh Evans (Bob). He is also survived by his sister and hiking buddy, Vonda Grove; his nephew, Kenneth Grove (Karen); and niece, Kim Turgesen (Bryan). He is preceded in death by his mother, Marie Doran; his father, Bennie Grove; and his brother, Bill Grove. Tom was “Pa” to his nine grandchildren: Sara Brenner (Jason), Molly McCarthy (Sean), Kari Evans (Jessie), Christopher Woodhouse; Jordan, Kadin, Connor, and Chandler Andrews; and Asenath Whallon. His great-grandchildren (so far) include: Jace, Jett and Dillon Brenner; Paxton, Ronan, Kate, Cora and Hayes Evans-Francisco; and Anne, Elizabeth and James McCarthy. A Celebration of Life for Tom will be held on September 14, 2022, at Shadow Mountain Mortuary, 2350 E. Greenway Rd in Phoenix. Visitation begins at 8:30 am, with services at 9:00 am. Interment with military funeral honors follows at National Memorial Cemetery, 23029 N Cave Creek Rd in Phoenix in the Pavilion area at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of the Valley or the Arizona Military Relief Fund. To our sailor, we say Fair Winds and Following Seas, until we meet again.
Posted online on September 09, 2022
Published in The Arizona Republic