RAYMOND L. GROOMS
Raymond Lee Grooms was born January 10, 1929, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Frank and Augusta “Gussie” (Taylor) Grooms. He moved to Nemaha, Nebraska at one year old and lived in Nemaha throughout his life. Raymond graduated from Nemaha High School with the class of 1947.
As a young man he worked for the Corps of Engineers. Raymond entered the United States Army on February 21, 1951 and served in Korea during the war. He received the United Nations Service Medal and Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Campaign Star. After his honorable discharge on December 21, 1952, Raymond returned to the Corps of Engineers and also worked at Cargill Grain in Omaha. He retired from the Corps in 1977 and worked at Campbell’s Soup in Tecumseh for one year, at Cooper Nuclear Station and then Excel Foods in Phelps City, Missouri as a Security Guard, until retiring in 1991.
On March 14, 1956, Raymond was united in marriage to Everna White. Their union was blessed with four children: Susan, Sheryl, Sonya, and Steve.
Raymond was a longtime member of the Nemaha United Methodist Church. Raymond enjoyed watching the Nebraska Cornhusker football team and fishing in his earlier years. He also enjoyed time spent with his children and grandchildren.
On the morning of Wednesday, October 27, 2021, Raymond passed away at Good Samaritan Society-Auburn. He had reached the age of 92 years, 9 months, and 17 days. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Gussie, father-and mother-in-law Calvin and Florence White, sisters Margaret Smith and Agnes Wright, brothers Robert and Frank Jr, sister-in-law Evelyn Anderson, brother-in-law Alvin White, and son-in-law Alfred Koso.
Raymond will be remembered with love and fondness by his wife Everna of Nemaha; daughters Susan Koso, Sheryl Bebb and husband Jerry, Sonya Williamson and husband John; son Steve Grooms and wife Lyndsey, 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Nancy White; other relatives and friends.
A funeral service was held Saturday, October 30, 2021, at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn, officiated by Rev. Bob Heusman. Janell Johnson was accompanist for solos by Nate Powell and and a congregational hymn.
Casket bearers were Cody Williamson, Kyle Williamson, Jeremy Bebb, Cole Zentner, Branden Stolze, and Scott Grooms. The staff and residents of Good Samaritan Society-Auburn were honorary bearers.
Burial was in the Nemaha Cemetery at Nemaha with graveside military honors by American Legion Post #23 and Nebraska National Guard Honor Guard.
Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.