G. Richard Grove

G. Richard Grove 81, of Smithsburg, Maryland passed away Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at Waynesboro Hospital Born November 7, 1939, in his family’s homeplace he was the son of the late Mary Catherine Grove and grandson of the late Ross and Carrie Garnand Grove. He was a graduate of Smithsburg High School class of 1957. He began employment at Hagerstown Fairgrounds before moving to CertainTeed Vending Company and then to Hub City Electric Company to begin his apprenticeship for eventually becoming a Master Electrician. He was next employed with Ellsworth Electric Company where he helped create such Hagerstown and Maryland landmarks as Long Meadow Shopping Center, The Columbia Mall, Thomas Johnson High School, and numerous Hagerstown area locations before eventually devoting much working time at locations including Camp David, Ft. Ritchie, Site R, The White House, Comsat, Andrews Air Force Base, and other classified locations in addition to doing significant work for Genstar Quarries before retiring in 1995. By 2001 he opened and operated Smithsburg General Store which became known for being the largest retailer for “Thomas the Tank Engine” toys and items in the east coast. In 2004 he began construction on Maplegrove Estate Retirement Community in his hometown of Smithsburg, Maryland which he operated and managed along with other apartments located in Hagerstown, and Smithsburg, MD and San Diego, CA. Throughout his retired time, he also farmed with his son in Smithsburg, MD. His greatest joys aside from his family was traveling the United States with his wife and family when available including many trips to San Diego, CA. He also enjoyed farming, model trains and trains of all sorts, photography, restoring older vehicles and restoring family properties. He especially cherished his many friendships made over his lifetime with those from all corners of the country and life. He was a lifelong member of Smithsburg Volunteer Fire Company where he served 4 terms as fire chief and Western Maryland Historical Train Society of Union Bridge, MD. He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Smithsburg, Maryland where he served at times on church council. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joyce Elaine (Kline) Grove of Smithsburg, daughter Pamela Dawn Grove, son Richard Lee Grove, both of Smithsburg. Granddaughter Christina (Grove) Bloom and husband James of Hagerstown and grandson Landon Grove and wife Allison of Ringgold, Maryland. In addition to his mother and grandparents with whom he resided during childhood, he was preceded in death by close family members the late Claude T. (Rags) King, aunt Evelyn M. King and aunt Zelda P. Grove. The family wishes to thank Dr. John Robinson, Dr. Jeffrey Jones and staff and the SpriTrust Lutheran Home Care and particularly nurse Terri. They would also like to thank the physicians, nurses and staff of the John L. Grove Cancer Treatment Center of Chambersburg, the Chambersburg Hospital and Waynesboro Hospital over the past 18 months for their outstanding care. Services will be held Tuesday October 19, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, N. Main Street, Smithsburg, MD with burial following in Smithsburg Cemetery. Pastor Virgil Cain and Pastor Richard Hembrock officiating. Family will receive friends at J.L. Davis’s Funeral Home, 12525 Bradbury Avenue, Smithsburg, Maryland Monday October 18, 2021, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 217, Smithsburg, Maryland 21783, Smithsburg Community Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 32, Smithsburg, Maryland 21783 or Western Maryland Historical Train Society, P.O. Box 395, Union Bridge, Maryland, 21791. Online condolences may be offered at www.jldavisfh.com.