Richard L. Grover

Derby - Grover, Richard Loyd "Dick", 83, passed away peacefully at his home April 6, 2019. Visitation at Smith Mortuary, Derby, Ks. with family present 6-8pm Tuesday, April 9 with Services at 10am, Wednesday, April 10 at Derby Woodlawn United Methodist Church. Richard is survived by his wife of 62 years Darlene, son David (Tammy) Grover, Warrensburg, Missouri: Daughters Nancy Strader, Wellington, Ks., Diann (Duane) Dawson, Wichita, Ks., and Donna (Rusty) Slusser, Cheney, Ks. He will be missed by his grandchildren Jas, Randi (Mike), Whitney (Chris), Dan (Taryn), Carrie (Joshua), Rylee, Andrew (Alexandra), Katie (Zach), Matthew, Kisten, Zander, Sage, Danika and great grandchildren Zachary, Anthony, Zoe, Chord, Nick, Bentley, Allison, Lyric, Lucas, Evan and two grandbabies on the way along with many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Loyd and Hazel Grover, 4 siblings Roland, Lorene, Betty, Phyllis and spouses, son in law Jim Strader and granddaughter Emily Slusser. Richard was born June 16, 1935 in Clay Center, Kansas. Attended Clay Center schools and graduated from high school in 1953 and then joined the United States Air Force. Served 20 years before retiring in 1974 as Master Sergeant. He served as "First Sergeant" with assignments in Iceland, Vietnam, Guam, Turkey, San Antonio, Salina, Topeka and Wichita. He met Darlene Whittemore at Smokey Hill Air Force Base and was married in 1956 in Wilsey, Kansas. After retiring from the US Air Force Dick worked for Vicker’s Gas Station, JC Penney, and Derby Public Schools. Dick was Past Master for the Masonic Lodge in Derby. Many winters during retirement was spent in Aransas Pass, Texas. Dick was a Shocker, Jayhawk and Chiefs fan and talented wood carver. He will be remembered for his humor, friendliness to everyone he met, love and commitment for his wife and family, his country and his God.