Kenneth Ray Groves of Kirbyville, Mo

Kenneth Ray Groves of Kirbyville, Mo., died Sunday, March 20, 2022, on his 80th birthday at his home surrounded by family. He was born March 20, 1942, in Oasis, Mo., to Ezra and Chloey (Snowden) Groves.

Ray graduated from Hollister High School in 1960. He married Jeri Clayton on Dec. 26, 1960, at Almeda Brittain’s house in Kirbyville, Mo. 

Ray served in the U.S. Navy from 1960 to 1964, stationed in California. After being honorably discharged, he attended mechanic school while working for General Motors in Kansas City, Mo., before moving to Hollister, Mo., in 1967. He worked at Al’s Mobile Station and Jim’s Standard Station in Branson, Mo., before working at School of the Ozarks, retiring after 25 years. He was a member of Sardis General Baptist Church.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, pitching horse shoes, softball, playing snooker, restoring old cars, and serving at White River Association Youth Camp.

Survivors include by his wife of 61 years, Jeri Groves; three children, Don and Christy Groves of Albany, Mo., Carl and Tracey Groves of Kirbyville, Mo., and Melissa and Scott Weatherman of Sparta, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Jon and Cara of Ozark, Mo., Tiffany Groves and Corey Holker of Springfield, Mo., Haley Groves, Tyler Groves, Hannah Groves, Allison Groves, Cameron and Cooper Weatherman; two step-granddaughters, Candyce and Krysten Weatherman of Springfield; four great-grandchildren, Callee, Ella, and Mallery Groves, and Alex Holker; and a brother, Robert Groves of Kansas City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ronnie and Billy; and an infant sister.

Visitation will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home at 1638 E. Highway 76 in Branson. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 25, at Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home. Burial with full military rites will be at Blue Eye Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks, 1136 E. St Louis St., Springfield, MO 65806.