Douglas Gene “Doug” Groner went to be with his Lord on Monday, November 9, 2020, at the age of 81. Graveside services and interment were at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 14 at Jackson Field Cemetery in Preston, Mississippi, and Michael Ball officiated.
Douglas Gene Groner was born in 1939 in Syracuse, New York. He joined the United States Marines when he was 17 years old; following his service there, he began his education at Syracuse University. He left the university early to work for General Electric in Syracuse, where he was transferred to Bahamas, California, and finally to the NASA test facility in Picayune, Mississippi, where he met and married the love of his life, Rita Adcock. They had two girls – Melanie and Michelle – while living in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. After the first moon landing, the GE contract with NASA ended, so he decided to pursue an accounting degree at Mississippi State University. After completing his degree, Doug and his family moved to Pearl, where he worked for the State Tax Commission until he started his own business. Later, he worked for the Mississippi Department of Transportation as an accountant where he eventually retired.
Doug was an avid sports fan for all of his life. He was a dedicated fan of the Pearl Pirates for over 40 years. Doug served as a timing official for the Pearl Track Team and the Pearl Cross Country Team for 25 years as a volunteer. He rarely missed a Pearl Basketball or Pearl Football game, where his call for “Defense” will be missed at all the games. He was a season ticket holder for the Mississippi Braves for 16 years.
Doug was a passionate reader and had a book in his hands most of the time. He made many fond memories with his children reading to them. Doug conducted genealogy research and collected an enormous number of records for family and friends. He loved all types of music, but his real love was blues and jazz. He listened for hours, and loved sharing with other music aficionados.
One of Doug’s greatest joys was being “Grandpa” or “Papaw” for his four grandchildren, spending much time with them as babies and young people, particularly by reading to them and playing games. He loved attending their sporting events and performances.
Doug is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Rita Adcock Groner of Pearl, Mississippi, and two daughters, Michelle (Daniel) Hyams of Madison, Alabama, and Melanie (Michael) Busby of West Point, Mississippi. He is survived by his grandchildren: Nate Hyams, Sam Hyams, Adrienne Hyams, and Macey Busby. He is also survived by three sisters: Jan Carr, Sandy Hall, and Sue (Tom) Hudson. Doug was preceded in death by his parents Emmett and Corinne Groner.
Rita, Michelle, and Melanie would like to express their appreciation for the excellent care of Doug and the comfort provided to them while Doug was in the ICU and CICU units at St. Dominic Hospital.
Pallbearers were Michael Busby, Daniel Hyams, Nate Hyams, Sam Hyams, David Gainey, Hunter Gainey, Brandon Heard, and Brent Wade. Memorials in memory of Doug may be given to Mississippi State University Baptist Student Union, P. O. Box BU, Mississippi State, MS 39762 or Scholarship Fund at Pearl High School, 500 Pirate Cove, Pearl, MS 39208.
Services were under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
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