John Groth, 62, passed away suddenly in Tucson, Arizona. John was born in St Louis to Evangeline and the late William L Groth, Jr and attended Lindbergh Senior High School.
After attending American University, John joined the Army. Fluent in Russian, the Army sent him to the Presidio of Monterey to study Arabic and John was assigned to Military Intelligence. He then became a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, NC. His deployments included the Panama War; three tours in the Sinai Peninsula; eight months in Bosnia with Peace Keeping Forces; 1990-91 Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Desert Sabre; and, in 2003, Operation Iraqi Freedom. John joined the Louisiana National Guard where he supported state operations during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. John was assigned to teach at the Military Intelligence School at Fort Huachuca, AZ as a Senior Training Specialist, Military Intelligence where he finished his career in the military, volunteering to retire so a younger teacher would keep his employment.
John is survived by his mother, Evangeline R. Groth, nee Tolentino, four siblings, Marjorie (John) Larsen, William (Susan) Groth, Charles (Dijana) Groth and Mary O’Neill. He was the uncle of John, Will, Charles, Edward, Sophia & James Larsen, of AJ & Will Groth, of Elliott & David Groth and of Jamie O’Neill. He was a beloved son, brother, nephew, uncle, great-uncle and friend to many.
John will be remembered for his service to his country, his love of role-playing games, his lifelong passion for camping and the outdoors, unending pride of his hometown of St. Louis, and his penchant for horrible puns.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 27 4 pm – 8 pm at Kutis Funeral Home in Affton, 10151 Gravois Rd, St Louis, MO 63123
Funeral Service will be held on Friday, August 28 at 10:30 am at Kutis followed by a committal service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery