PURCELL-NEWCASTLE, MCCLAIN CO, OK

(permission granted)

Harley “Leon” Grover, beloved husband, dad, & papa, went suddenly to be with the Lord August 22, 2014. Leon was born April 29, 1936 on a farm in Jetmore, Kansas to Harley and Blanche Grover. He has one younger brother, Frank. Leon went to school through the fifth grade in Jetmore. Then his family moved to Noble, Oklahoma in 1947 where attended until he graduated high school in 1954.

He joined the U.S. Air Force and served his country proudly during the Korean War. While in the service, he graduated with honors from Cryptography School. While stationed at the Ardmore Air Force base, Leon met his future wife, Jane Deloris Smith, and they married soon thereafter on June 15, 1958. In 1959, Leon and Jane moved back to Norman, OK, so he could complete his education at the University of Oklahoma. During this time, their daughter, Angela Rae, was born. In May, 1962, Leon graduated from OU with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, with a major in Accounting and a minor in Business Law. He immediately began employment in the Accounting Department of OG&E in Sapulpa, OK. He was active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce as President and was honored as one of the three outstanding presidents in the state of Oklahoma. In 1967, Leon was honored to be listed as one of the Outstanding Young Men in America. Also, while in Sapulpa, Leon and Jane had their 2nd child, Richard Leon. In 1967, Leon was promoted to Supervisor in the Accounting Department of OG&E in Oklahoma City, OK. He was a member of the Oklahoma City Jaycees and Director of the Oklahoma State Jaycees. In 1968, he was promoted to District Accountant for OG&E in Seminole, OK. He also served as Vice President of the Lion’s Club and Secretary of the Seminole Chamber of Commerce. In 1970, Leon was promoted to Division Accountant at OG&E in Oklahoma City. There he served on the Board of Directors of the Lion’s Club, as a member of the OKC Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce. In 1972, he received a promotion to the position of District Manager of OG&E in Wewoka, OK. Leon was Secretary of the Rotary Club, Vice President, and eventually President-elect of the Chamber of Commerce. In 1973, Leon then was promoted to Division Service Manager of OG&E in OKC. He also served on the Board of Directors of the OKC Chamber of Commerce. In 1976, he was then promoted to Division Manager of OG&E in Muskogee, OK. He was President of the Rotary Club, Vice President of the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce, President of the Muskogee High School Band Boosters, and General Director of the United Way. In 1980, Leon received a promotion to Vice President and Division Manager of OG&E in OKC. He was active in the OKC Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, on the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club, both Board of Directors and Screening Committee of the OKC United Way, the Board of Junior Achievement, the Board of Oklahoma City Beautiful, and a member of Downtown Now. In 1987, Leon was promoted to Vice President and Regional Manager for OG&E Headquarters in Norman, OK, where he was responsible for operations in the Northern, Western & Southern Regions of Oklahoma. Four years later, Leon and Jane purchased some farmland and pasture located west of Purcell, OK which had been a longtime dream of his. On weekends and during vacation, they started raising beef cattle, hay, alfalfa, and wheat. In 1994, after working for OG&E 32 years, Leon retired at age 58. Leon and Jane moved to their farm and lived there 10 years and then sold their farm and moved into the town of Purcell where they presently reside. They attend Trinity Methodist Church, and Leon served on many committees and enjoyed singing in the choir. Besides his farming, Leon loved being outdoors whether it was fishing, golfing or traveling when he could.

Leon is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Jane, daughter, Angela Eversole of Tulsa, OK, son Richard Grover of Konawa, OK, brother Frank Grover of Ward, AR, granddaughter Lindsey Boggs and her husband Blake of Bixby, OK, granddaughter Caitlin Eversole of Tulsa, grandson Sean Eversole of Tulsa, great grandson, Mason Boggs of Bixby, uncle and aunt Neal & Bonnie Grover of Purcell, OK, and numerous cousins from many areas of the country.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harley and Blanch Grover. So many people were touched by his life, and so many of us will miss his deep, beautiful, bass voice and great big smile. The family sincerely appreciates all the prayers and acts of love by everyone.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Thursday, August 28, 2014, at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Purcell. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials in Leon’s name to the Trinity United Methodist Church Building Fund, @ 211 N. 2nd, Purcell, OK, 73080. Arrangements by Wilson-Little Funeral Home of Purcell.