John Paul Groll September 28, 1928 - November 3, 2018

Condolences(15)

1. 

   Michael Wetzlich says

   December 19, 2018 at 5:37 pm

   Although I never had Mr. Groll as my teacher in high School, I would often see him on campus. He always had a smile and was quick to greet students by name. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. He will be missed.

2. 

   Adrienne (Sleeper) Crusick says

   November 26, 2018 at 10:48 pm

   I rememember Mr. Groll..he was a very nice and patient teacher who also coached tennis at the high school. Thoughts and prayers go out to the Groll family. My mother had alzheimers””it is so sad and hard on families.

3. 

   Tom Watling Jr. says

   November 17, 2018 at 3:03 pm

   The patience and good humor of Mr. John Groll are the main reasons why I managed to survive high school Algebra, and I’m sure, like my friend Rock, I was admonished for some sort of disruptive behavior, but it was Mr. Groll who I’ll always remember as a mentor and a friend. As the son of two lifelong educators I can sincerely appreciate the effort and genuine concern John had for all his students, he truly was the sort of teacher you would want for your own children. Please accept my heartfelt condolences, Tom Watling, Jr.

4. 

   Carlos Hernandez says

   November 15, 2018 at 8:13 pm

   Mr.(John)Groll, as I referred to him, how’s it going? Gary and I just started to hang out when I first met Mr. Groll, 48 years ago. He and the Mrs. always made me feel welcome to their home! I will miss him, the greeting and his smile. Viva Con Dios

5. 

   MARK DE LA MOTTE says

   November 15, 2018 at 5:26 am

   Laura and I were fortunate enough to be colleagues of John at Turlock HS. He was a most supportive friend to us both as young teachers who made us feel welcome and valued. We especially enjoyed his wit and positive daily attitude.

6. 

   Mark & Laura de la Motte says

   November 15, 2018 at 5:23 am

   Laura and I were fortunate enough to be colleagues of John at Turlock HS. He was a most supportive friend to us both as young teachers who made us feel welcome and valued. We especially enjoyed his wit and positive daily attitude.

7. 

   Rockford Libby says

   November 12, 2018 at 5:23 pm

   Mr. (John) Groll was in my opinion the ultimate educator. At then Walter Brown School in the mid-fifties he had occasion to discipline me for an incident involving spitting water on another student in retaliation for the same offense. He chose to make this an opportunity to educate rather than simply punish. I was directed to write 100 times, “I shall refrain from expectorating water upon my fellow students.” Both this lesson and my appreciation for the man have remained with me for over 60 years now.

   John was my neighbor for his last eight years on Edward Drive and I enjoyed our visits as I walked my dog by his house or when he drove through the alley and stopped to visit me working in my garden. He did not recall the above incident and I have to assume that is because he had so many similar truly educational interactions with his many students. I will miss him.

   Rock Libby

8. 

   Gary Black says

   November 11, 2018 at 8:28 pm

   I worked many years with John at Turlock High School. It was a pleasure to see how he loved his work and the students who were lucky enough to have him as a teacher. John was quite an athlete in his own right. He taught me the fine points of racquetball, a sport I never came close to mastering to his level. I was honored to call John a colleague, but mostly, I was honored to call him a friend.

9. 

   Timothy G. Avila says

   November 9, 2018 at 5:59 am

   At one point in the John Groll family, they lived around the corner from us. Even though I never had math with Mr. Groll, he always knew my first name. I remember when they moved to Edwards Street, I saw on the wall a picture of Mr. Groll in Native full dress leather with headdress, and Greg told me that is his Bachelor’s from North Dakota. I was so impressed by that, I never forgot it. I remember seeing him, Coach George Dudley, Mr. Davenport (I can’t remember the fourth player), playing tennis in Crane Park, all in their whites, tennis shoes too. As an adult I would see Mr. Groll at Brenda Athletics Club in the Men’s locker room, we would chat, and he could not get the idea of me doing step aerobics upstairs. At this time he was playing racketball and was an excellent player too. To Mrs. Groll (in Heaven), Toni, Greg, (Lori), and Gary John, (Nancy), you are always in my heart, God bless you all and may Mr. Groll forever live in peace.

10. 

    Brenda (Couchman) Fox says

    November 9, 2018 at 1:24 am

    Mr. Groll was hands-down my favorite Math teacher. He was patient, encouraging and caring. He wanted me to succeed. We were all lucky to have him.

11. 

    Lee Marchant says

    November 8, 2018 at 7:25 pm

    I was one of the lucky students to of had Mr. Groll as a math teacher at Turlock High School during the late 70’s. He was a great person and teacher who was respected by his students and colleagues. He was always there for his students whether you needed help with a math problem or just needed someone to talk to. He was a person who always had a smile on his face and had nothing but kind words for everyone.

12. 

    Marlys Sydor (Wehrung) says

    November 8, 2018 at 3:42 pm

    Was very sad to hear of Uncle John’s passing, but then I remembered how lost he was when Aunt Corrine died. Now they are together again with no pain-ravaged bodies or minds that don’t recognize or function properly. I know it’s hard to lose those we love so dearly, even though we know they are in a much better place. My heart goes out to you all.
    I’ll always remember the time I got to stay with John and Corrine for a week when they were living in their apartment in Dickinson shortly after they were married – I was about 7 years old then. John mentioned it in a letter he wrote me when Hank died in 2011, so I know it was a memorable time for them too. That’s what we do now – cherish the memories! Uncle John loved his family so much and he was such a kind, gentle and caring man – I’m sure you all have many wonderful memories to hold on to.
    Sending love, hugs, prayers, sympathy and many blessings.

13. 

    Sonja and Jim Groll says

    November 8, 2018 at 2:50 am

    Sending our thoughts and prayers. We loved our many visits with uncle John.

14. 

    Bob Stammerjohan says

    November 7, 2018 at 4:53 pm

    I worked with John for many years when he was a math teacher at Turlock High School. He was a truly kind & wonderful person who always had a smile and kind word for everyone. He was also an excellent teacher who was well liked and respected by his students and colleagues. It was an honor and a pleasure to have known and worked with him.

15. 

    Roger and Linda Chale (Wehrung) says

    November 7, 2018 at 12:20 am

    Deepest sympathy to you in the passing of your father, grandfather, and great grandfather. I have fond memories of Uncle John when he and Aunt Corrine would bring you four kids and come to visit in Watford City, ND. Our family also visited your family in Turlock when I was a child. Uncle John took us to San Francisco to see the Golden Gate Bridge and China town. The last time I saw Uncle John was in May of 2013 when my husband, Roger, and I stopped to visit him in Turlock while we were traveling through CA. He took us out to eat at Wendy’s and we had a nice visit. Uncle John was a family oriented man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.