John O. Grooms Jr.

John O. Grooms Jr., age 57, of Somerset, Kentucky (formerly of Mooresville), passed away on Friday, June 13, 2014, in the Philippines. He was born on March 12, 1957 in Marion County to the late John Sr. and Josephine Byroad Grooms.

John provided for his family by serving in the Army, retiring as an E-7 Sergeant 1st Class after 30 years of service. After which he worked for private international contracting companies traveling to Afghanistan for two years and transitioning to Saudi Arabia. He was a man with a strong work ethic who was always traveling for work. In his free moments back home he was always working on a motor in his garage or fishing with his children and grandchildren on his pond. He will be missed by many.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Donna Black Matthews.
His is survived by his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Grooms of Somerset KY, his children; Melissa Jo Horton, Juanita Belle Ruffino, Emily Kathryn Dittemore, and Erica Ann Madson; step-children, Kenneth Willard and Laura Willard; half-brothers, Conrad Black, Jr. (Betty), Dan Black (Sheila), Miller “Mick” Wampler (Loretta); half-sister, Frances Wampler Lucas (Bill); ten grandchildren.

A gathering of family and friends will take place on Wednesday, July 2, 2014, 10 a.m. until 12 Noon, in the Carlisle - Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. A graveside service will begin at 12:30 p.m., in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, Greenwood. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.