David Allen Groseclose
PHOENIX – David Allen Groseclose was born in El Paso, Texas, August 2, 1942 to W.M. Groseclose and Mary Ruth Cooper Groseclose. His brothers Richard Wayne Groseclose and Daniel Lee Groseclose and parents predeceased him. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Karen Anne Monrad Groseclose, and 3 children: Benjamin W.M., John David (Debi) and granddaughter Lily, and Susan Elizabeth, granddaughter Haley Anne Petersheim and grandson Brian Anthony Petersheim Jr. Many nieces and nephews continued to be a part of his life as well. David grew up in Phoenix, graduating from West High School in 1960. He was an all-state football player, all-state wrestler, student body president and received the Jim Edwards memorial award. He graduated from Harvard College in 1964 and the University of Arizona Law School in 1968. He clerked for Arizona Supreme Court Justice Lorna Lockwood his first year out of law school and then joined classmates Steven Gerst and Michael J Cohen as Cohen, Gerst and Groseclose. Tom Meissner joined them as they became Cohen, Gerst, Groseclose and Meissner. David was an active Civitan, helping build Camp Civitan and serving Thanksgiving dinners at Civitan House, Boy Scout Scoutmaster, served on the Board of Trustees at Grand Canyon College, a swimmer, skier, scuba diver, hunter and fisherman. He compiled “James A. Michener: A Bibliography” and his personal book collection became the nucleus of the primary works in the James A. Michener collection at the Michener Library at the University of Northern Colorado. At David’s recommendation, Michener chose the University of Northern Colorado to house his original papers. David’s love of books gave him many years of pleasure collecting and sharing. He was a founding member of the James A. Michener Society and served on its board of directors. His was a life of helping others. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 13th at 3 pm at Messenger Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. A lite dinner and dessert reception will be served in Messinger’s Community Room. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to your local library, Home Fur Good animal rescue, 10220 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85028 or the University of Northern Colorado Groseclose Scholarship Fund to assist library science majors. Arrangements entrusted to Messinger Indian School Mortuary.