Gaylord DeLynn Groce (Plainview)

Gaylord DeLynn Groce, age 84, of Petersburg, went to be with his Lord on March 7th, 2024. He was born on April 26, 1939, to Rae and Gladys Groce of Petersburg and he lived and farmed in Petersburg until moving to Grapevine in 2021. Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 16th at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Petersburg. Arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. After graduating from Petersburg High School, Gaylord started what would become a 55-year career in farming while also earning a degree from Texas Tech University. He attended classes in the morning and worked on the farm in the evenings. He believed it was important to give back to his community which led him to volunteer his time to numerous organizations, including serving as a Deacon of First Baptist Church in Petersburg, Board Member of Lighthouse Electric Cooperative, Board Member of Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, Board Member of First State Bank of Petersburg, Board Member of Petersburg Coop Gin and Board Member of Soil Conservation Board of Hale County, 50-year member of the Lions Club and the Masons. Gaylord was preceded in death by his father and mother, Rae and Gladys Groce and his loving wife of 62 years, Sammie Groce. After faith, family was the most important aspect of his life, and he was affectionately known by those closest to him as Papa G. His generosity, interest in people and sense of humor will always be remembered by his family members that includes his daughters Gay Lynn McClelland and husband Mark McClelland of Olney, Michele Price and husband Gary Price of Colleyville; grandchildren, Lyndsey Miller and husband Reid of Olney, Hayden McClelland and wife Casey of Dallas, Justin Price and wife Morgan of Fort Worth and Jackson Price of Austin; great-grandchildren, Gunn, Archer and Shiloh Miller of Olney and Hayes McClelland of Dallas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the First Baptist Church in Petersburg, P.O. Box 469, Petersburg, TX 79250 or online at petersburgfbc.org.