JOHN SAMUEL GROUNDS, JR.

1931-2017

John Samuel Grounds, Jr. died peacefully at his home on August 21, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. John was born in Leonard, Texas on May 12, 1931 where he grew up on the farm in East Texas. John joined the Merchant Marines and later joined the Army to become a sergeant during the Korean War. He received medals for Korean Service with three Bronze Stars, UN Service, National Defense Service, and Good Conduct. After service in the military, he married Carol Reed after meeting at North Texas State University in 1955. They moved to Dallas where he received a Bachelors in Science in Civil Engineering from Southern Methodist University. He later went on to complete a Masters in Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Houston. John was a professional engineer in the State of Texas for more than 50 years. He was also licensed in California, New York, and nine other states. John and his wife Carol raised their family in Houston, Texas. He spent early morning hours at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo horse shows with his daughter Carol Lynn. He celebrated the academic triumphs with his daughter Laura culminating in her becoming valedictorian at Spring Branch High School. He was a little league football and baseball coach for his son John and served the commissioner of the Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association. He constructed swing sets and crafted wooden toys for his grandchildren.

John is survived by his wife Carol, children Carol Anders and her husband John, John Grounds, III and his wife Lynell, grandchildren Elizabeth and Jennifer Grounds of Houston, Texas; grandson Ian Conerly and his wife Suzy and their children Luke, Laura Kate, and Cullen of Fort Payne, AL; grandson Andy Conerly and his wife Virginia and their children Harrison and Catherine of Huntsville, AL; and son-in-law Michael Conerly. He is preceded in death by his daughter Laura Conerly.

Graveside services will be held at the Grove Hill Cemetery near Leonard, Texas on August 24, 2017 at 10 AM. Flowers can be sent by the florist to the gravesite.