Robert "Bob" Couch Grove

Robert “Bob” Couch Grove, 87, of Commerce, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 15, 2021.  He was born on July 18, 1933 in Dallas, Texas, the son of Joseph Gilbert Grove and Nell Elizabeth Couch Grove.  A funeral will take place on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. at Commerce Funeral Home with Reverend Samuel Caldwell officiating. 

Bob attended Commerce schools, graduating with the class of 1951.  He then attended East Texas State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1955. Bob honorably served as an officer in the United States Air Force before beginning his career with Raytheon, Inc. which lasted 30 years, retiring as an Engineering Director.  He married the love of his life, Sally, on July 2, 1954, a marriage they both enjoyed for 66 years.  He and his family were faithful members of the First Christian Church and First United Methodist Church in Commerce for 57 years, serving in various capacities.  Bob was active in the Boy Scouts of America, being an Eagle Scout himself.  He served as Pack Leader for the local Cub Scout and Webelos program. He was a member of the Philmont Staff Association for many years.  Philmont Scout Ranch is the Boy Scouts of America’s premier High Adventure Camp, where Bob built two log cabins that are still in use today. The Association unites the Philmont staff for the purpose of serving the adventure, heritage, and experience of Philmont and the Boy Scouts of America.  Many hours were spent working the cattle and doing various chores at Cow Hill Farm,  just out of Commerce on highway 71.  Over the years, countless boys were employed there, learning much more about life than just working cattle and clearing fields!  Bob could design and build anything, which served him well on the farm.  You could often see him out in the yard, pulling weeds for hours on end!  There is no way to know how many solutions to problems were decided in those solitary moments!

Bob is survived by his son, Jim Bob Grove and wife, Jill, and daughter, Mary Elizabeth Perry-Miller and husband, Ralph; grandchildren, Joseph Grove, Mindy Rutledge, Nathan Grove, Robert Scott Grove and John Perry-Miller; 5 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Sally; his parents, Joseph and Nell Grove, a daughter, Betty Grove and a brother, Joe Grove.

Serving Bob as honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Joseph Grove, Nathan Grove, Robert Scott Grove and John Perry-Miller, as well as all the many young farm hands that served Cow Hill Farm over the years. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to honor Bob to the First United Methodist Church Youth Ministry at 1709 State Highway 50, Commerce, Texas 75428.

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