Barney Groves, Jr.

Barney Groves, Jr. was born June 20, 1931, in Temple, Texas to Barney Groves, Sr., and Myrtle Hoover.  He passed away on November 30, 2022, at the age of 91.  He lived his entire life on the Lampasas County Ranch near Rumley.

On September 29, 1950, he was married to Christine Coe Groves and they spent 72 happy years together.  This union resulted in a large family, including children, David Alton, Steven Allen, and Kathleen Ann, 12 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren.  It gave him great pleasure to bring the entire family together on the Z-Bar Ranch every summer for a weekend of storytelling and family time lovingly referred to as "Circle the Wagons."

Early on, Barney invested in efforts to improve animal and crop quality on the farm and ranch and share those ideas with others.  He exhibited in and won many stock shows.  He became involved 72 years ago with the Lampasas County Farm Bureau and served many terms as president.  He served over 20 years on the Lampasas School Board as well as the Youth Livestock Association.  For 50 years, he and Christine owned and operated Lam-Tex Feed Mill in addition to farming and ranching.

He was deeply respected in the community, both for his time given in service to helping further agricultural and educational opportunities for youth as well as his willingness to take a chance hiring farm hands and feed store workers who were down on their luck and struggling to turn their lives around.  More than one such individual credits their turnaround story to his belief that everyone deserves a second chance.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Lucille Simon; granddaughter, Deidre Lemmons, and great-granddaughter, Jasmarie Cronk.

Survivors include his wife, Christine; children and spouses, David and Rose Groves, Steve and Peggy Groves, and Kathy and Perry Lemmons; grandchildren, Dwayne Groves, Sherry Kaufmann, James Groves, Crystal Cronk, Brad Groves, Suzanne Plyler, Chase Groves, Jessica Harrison, Jenny Magic, Kendra McLarty, and Bryce Lemmons, as well as 26 great-grandchildren.  The first great-great-grandchild is due in May 2023.  He is also survived by nieces Martha Langdon and Mary Simon and nephew, Richard Simon.

Visitation will be Sunday, December 11 from 6 pm to 8 pm at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel.  The funeral will be Monday, December 12, 2022, 10 am, at First Street Church of Christ with burial following at Groves Cemetery.  The service will be conducted by Richard Raschke, Silas Gartin, Jennifer Bartles, and Mary Simon.

The family would like to thank Audrey Kaye, Carolyn Drayton, and Jessica Jones for their care during his final days.