He attended Greenville High School in Greenville, Mississippi, where he graduated in 1966. He later went on to attend college at Central Texas College in Mannheim, Germany while stationed in Worms, Germany.
He joined the United States Army in October 1966. Through all 20 years of his faithful service, Phillip was awarded a plethora of decorations, medals, badges, and campaign ribbons including the Meritorious Service Medal (w/ 1 oak leaf cluster), Army Commendations Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Number 2), Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle), and the Expert Badge (Hand Grenade).
During that time, he married the love of his life, Deborah, on January 2, 1968. They went on to have 4 children: Kelly, Carmen, Heather, and Phillip II.
He retired from the Army in October 1986 with the title of Master Sergeant.
Phillip worked as a manager for Fujitsu and Pathnet doing Switch Staging. He later went on to work for the Internal Medicine Associates of Carrollton as the Medical Billing Coordinator.
Even being so busy, he was always up to date with politics and the latest technology. While he loves all sports, he was a diehard Cowboys fan and made sure they were on TV every week.
Phillip’s character was too honest for words, his warmth too abundant to describe, his kindness and genuine essence will be missed by all. We hold him very high on a pedestal, one he would humbly claim he did not deserve. He had the truly unique ability to foster special relationships with everyone he knew – no matter how you met him. He valued everyone individually and in their own light. He was our hero, the patriarch of our family but most importantly he was our father. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend. He will be missed deeply by all of his family and friends.
Phillip is proceeded in death by his parents; Millard and Zelma Groce, and his brothers, Alton (Beverly) Groce, Harold Groce, and Bruce Groce.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years Deborah W. (Cothran) Groce; his sister: Sheri Groce-Malicoat, Sisters-in-law: Sandra Groce (Harold) and Annette Groce (Bruce); Children: Kelly (Ken) Wright, Carmen Groce-Green, Heather (Thomas) Randle, and Phillip Groce II; Grandchildren: Emily, Natalie, and David Wright; Elizabeth (Whitney) Conger, Austin and Justin Green, Ryley and Mariyah Groce, and Weston Randle; Great Grandchildren: Tristan Groce and Silas Conger.
He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews from Indiana, Kentucky, and Mississippi.
Visitation for Phillip Groce is Wednesday, February 2, 2022, from 6 pm to 9 pm located at Rhoton Funeral Home, 1511 South I-35 E Carrollton, TX 75006 in the chapel.
Committal Service will be on Friday, February 18, 2022, at 9:00 am at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy Dallas, TX 75211.
Family and friends that would like to participate in the procession to Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery please arrive at Rhoton Funeral Home no later than 8:00 am on Friday, February 18, 2022.
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