Obituary of Michael Lee Groves

Michael was the first child and son born to Clifford and Eldora Groves in Gillette Wyoming on 11/28/1948. He was the oldest of five children. His parents moved their children to Oregon around 1956.  He first lived in the Woodburn area then moved to West Linn. He grew up in two different houses in West Linn and went to the West Linn public schools. In 1967 he graduated from West Linn High School. While there he was active in the debate/speech and chess clubs. Michael went on to attend Lewis and Clark College then Reed College, from where he graduated. His graduation studies drew him to be an English teacher at West Linn and Wilsonville high schools.

 

Throughout his life he had many hobbies some which included becoming an Eagle Scout via
Boy Scouts of America, fly fishing including tying his own flys, traveling to numerous countries, learning French, being an avid photographer and being obsessed with baking sourdough bread.  He had a profound passion for France. After retirement he would spend six months of each year in France staying in his favorite places. His friends also remember him as an avid photographer, high school English teacher and high school drama director.  He loved getting his students involved in drama and plays. One of his friend’s remembered him fondly stating ‘He was a friend through thick and thin, through calm waters and in rough stormy waters. Through all the ups and downs of a teacher’s life. He was such a bold adventurer in retirement’.  Another friend said ‘One of the many things I loved about Michael was his little devilish laugh. It was truly contagious’. One of his fellow teacher’s remembers Michael as a beloved colleague, a teaser and a bit of a prankster (the ornery twinkle in his eye and the smile he would get whenever he was up to something!!!). He loved talking about food, travel (especially France), books, theatre productions he’d just seen in New York, and about innovations he had made in his quest to have the lightest backpacking gear.

He will be missed by all who knew him.

 

Michael was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents as well as his parents. He is survived by his siblings Karen VanDomelen, Rebbecca (Becky) Groves, Jill Groves, and Mark Groves, including nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital (EIN #93-0621534) or Alliance Francaise de Portland (EIN #93-0878422)