James Ronald "Ron" Grove

On Saturday, July 24, 2021, James Ronald “Ron” Grove died peacefully at home with his wife Judy by his side. He was 73 years old. In the days leading up to his death, Ron was able to spend time with his loved ones and close family members. Ron was survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Judy. His children: Katie Bond of Iuka, MS, Wendy (Edward) Del Rio, David (Catrina) Jackson of Vancleave, MS, Kelly (Christopher) Shields of Biloxi, MS. His grandchildren: Michael (Cheryl) Ladner, Noel Smith, Decker Wood, Parker Jackson, Bailey Bond, Dylan Bond, Lulu Jackson and Sophia Jackson. His great grandchildren: Alexis Locue and Savannah Ladner. His sister Nancy Tidwell of Corpus Christi, TX. His nieces: Amy Weber and Holly Pelletier. His beloved dog, Gracie Elizabeth Grove. Ron was born on April 6, 1948, in Houston, Texas, and graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas in 1967. He went on to Dallas Baptist College to study English before joining the Navy, where he served as a journalist. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, Ron attended North Texas State University, receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1976 with a major in journalism and minors in political science and English. Ron had several careers throughout his lifetime. Prior to moving to the MS Gulf Coast, he spent time working for a large bank in Dallas and a short stint as a firefighter in Slidell, LA. After moving to the Gulf Coast in 1977, he took a sports writer position with the Sun Herald (although knowing nothing about sports) and continued on as a staff writer until 1988. During his time there, he helped launch the Sun Herald Cable News in the mid-1980s and won several awards from the Mississippi Press Association for his personal column (1983, 1985, 1987). He continued to write his column through the mid-1990s, telling stories about his family life and Coast happenings in a style all his own. Ron’s most difficult assignment as a journalist was covering the Harrison County Jail fire in 1982 that killed almost 30 people and injured twice as many. He won first place from the MPA for his story covering that event, although he did ruin his favorite pair of cowboy boots in the process. After leaving the paper, Ron worked in Public Relations for the MS Bureau of Marine Resources and then later went into teaching. He retired in 2006 from the St. Martin School District. Known affectionately to his family as Pop, he had a nickname for several of us. There is Bean, Angel, Banana, Pie, Cauliflower, Beaner Boy, Princess and Weenie Head. Although Ron was a long-time resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, he grew up in Texas. Pop was always a cowboy at heart. You can take a boy out of Texas, but can never take Texas out of the boy. When he needed to dress up for a special occasion, his attire always included his Stetson hat, leather vest and cowboy boots. He also loved collecting canes and walking sticks. One of his final wishes was that each family member choose their favorite one to remember him by. Ron loved reading and devoured books in short periods of time. He especially loved Stephen King novels. At Ron’s request, there will not be a formal service but rather a family barbecue to celebrate his life and share memories of him. A date for this event has yet to be determined. The family wishes to send a special thank you to Pop’s team of home health workers from Amedisys that treated him and Judy like family. We are forever grateful for the love and care you showed to him these last few years. We also want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Preston of Traveling Grace, the transportation company that took Pop to and from his dialysis and doctor appointments over the last few months. Pop, we love you and are relieved that you are no longer in pain. Rest in Peace. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Howard Avenue in Biloxi is honored to serve the Grove family.