David Lee Groen

David Lee Groen, 86, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, passed away April 17, 2024. He was born in Sheldon, Iowa, on February 21, 1938, to John and Marian Groen. David graduated from Open Bible College in 1960. He married the love of his life, Betty, on July 22, 1960. “Hank” and “Groovy” were married for more than 63 years, serving in ministry together first in Tacoma, Washington, and then in the Denver area for over 40 years. Most of David’s pastoral ministry happened at First Christian Church of Englewood, and his other ministry was his deep commitment to serving as a chaplain for the Englewood Police Department for four decades. He loved supporting and encouraging police officers by riding with them, counseling them, and chatting with them over a glass of cold Pepsi. But David’s ministry was far broader than the positions that he held as a pastor or chaplain—he helped the homeless, counseled couples, and led family worship times when the Groen family gathered at Rabbit Ears Village. He participated in international ministry in trips to Haiti and South Korea with his brothers, Jim and Ken.

David loved his two girls, Lori Lee and Lonni Dee, and he modeled a life of faith and integrity for them. When they married, he gladly welcomed Torrey House and Bryan Pearce into the family. He delighted in his six grandchildren, Josiah House, Jesse House, Jeremiah House, Sam Pearce, Charissa House, and Joel Pearce, and celebrated with them when Josiah married Jenna and then when Jesse married Nyssa.

David loved fishing and spent many happy hours fishing as a boy in Iowa and, later, in the mountain lakes of Colorado and on fishing trips to Canada. He loved the outdoors, hunting elk and hiking, and he loved music—especially the sweet sounds of guitarist Chet Atkins.

Most of all, David loved his Savior, Jesus Christ. Whether as a husband, father, pastor, chaplain or friend, he spent his life helping others know and experience the profound love of God. Perhaps his love for his Savior is best expressed by the words of his favorite hymn: “O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed. Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, How Great Thou Art.” We celebrate that now David is singing these words in Heaven with all the saints who have gone before.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made in David's memory to either the "Creekside Bible Church Align Building Fund", or, "A Voice for Children" (Please click on the link(s) below).