Jerry Grooms

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Jerry D. Grooms, 69, of Advance passed away Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018, at John J. Pershing VA Hospital in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He was born Aug. 9, 1948, at Cape Girardeau, the son of Alonzo and Helen Prat Grooms.

Jerry was a truck driver, earning his million-mile certificate.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Vietnam War and earning a Bronze Star.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Chaffee and Morley, Missouri.

Jerry spent a lot of time umpiring baseball and softball games. He also refereed basketball, softball and soccer. For the last few years he had helped the Advance High School basketball program. He attended the Church of Christ in Advance.

Jerry and Ida "Jody Lee Grooms" Taylor were united in marriage Sept. 16, 2004, at Chaffee, and she survives of the home.

Other survivors include a daughter, Roxanne Grooms of Las Vegas; a son, Scott Hill (born Jerry Scott Groom) of Columbia, Missouri; a stepdaughter, Deana (Chad) Wiley of Advance; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Gail Grooms.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance.

A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the chapel, with Brother Kyle Carter officiating. Burial will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.