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Everard Groce Obituary

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Everard Groce

Aberdeen, WA

June 30, 1938 - December 22, 2016

Everard Groce Obituary

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Everard “Ed” Rene Groce passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2016 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. He was 78. Ed was born June 30, 1938 in Holyoke, Massachusetts to Everard and Angele (Lesmerises) Groce. Ed was raised in Auburn and Manchester, New Hampshire, graduated high school in 1955, and attended La Salette Seminary until 1962. He graduated from St. Mary University on July 17, 1964, the University of Southern California on August 30, 1975 and from Le President du Centre Universitaire in France on July 29, 1977. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on June 15, 1962; he proudly served his country for 31 years, retiring on January 31, 1993 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He received several military honors including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. On June 19, 1965 Ed married Rita Jean Johnstone in Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Ysleta, Texas. She survives him at the family home in Aberdeen. During his military career, he was stationed at Anderson AFB, Guam; Chanute AFB, Illinois; Incirlik AB, Turkey; Lackland AFB, Texas; Maxwell AFB, Alabama; McChord AFB, Washington; Reese AFB, Texas; Scott AFB, Illinois; Tachikawa AB, Japan; Travis AFB, California; US Air Force Academy, Colorado and the US Embassy Algiers, Algeria. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Aberdeen, Washington; American Legion; Military Officers Association of America; and the National Rifle Association. Ed enjoyed the outdoors--fishing, camping, boating and hiking. In addition to his wife Rita, he is survived by his children Marian Michelle Bronson of Montesano, Washington; Theresa Diane Wright of Aberdeen, Washington; Stephanie Renee Kelley, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; two brothers George and Walter Groce, both of New Hampshire; and three grandchildren, Heather and Jonathon Gibson, and Jack Kelley. Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Aberdeen, Washington. A graveside committal with full military honors will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, December 30th at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. Memorials in Ed’s name are suggested to any Catholic charity. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary of Aberdeen, Washington.

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