Orson Neil Grover

Orson Neil Grover, 98, of Columbus, passed away on June 16, 2022. He was born in Flint, Michigan on January 6, 1924 to Orson B. and Marilla Grover. In addition to his parents, Neil was preceded in death by his beloved wife of “72 years, 1 month, and 2 days” Edith Grover; his son, Bryan Neil Grover of Haines City, Florida; his brother Lyle (Loretta) Grover of Linden, Michigan; his sister Marilla “Kathy” Forsyth of St. Petersburg, Florida; and his granddaughter Stacy Grover of Muskegon, Michigan.

Neil retired from IBM after 45 years as a Customer Engineer. He served in the Air Force during WW2 in Europe and North Africa, and in the Reserves until the 1960s. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Franklin University, thanks to the GI Bill. He was a member of the Actomist Class of the Indianola United Methodist Church, which later became Summit United Methodist.

Neil was a life member of the Columbus Ohio Chapter of the American Theater Organ Society and spent many years restoring the pipe organ which now resides in Worthington High School. His love of theatre organ music and classic films led him and his friends Tom Hamilton and Frank Babbitt to form HBG Enterprises in the 1960s as the initial attempt to save the Ohio Theatre. Although they did not meet that goal, they bought the time needed for the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) to be formed and complete the achievement. He thoroughly enjoyed the Cinevent Film Festival during the 1970s and 2010s. Big Band music was a lifelong favorite, and Neil was a fan of Vaughn Wiester and his Famous Jazz Orchestra. He was also a member of the Ted Lewis Society.

Neil will be greatly missed by his daughter, Mary (Michael) Neno; daughter-in-law Joan Grover; granddaughters Jaimie (Sue) Grover, Rachel (John) Garrett, Sarah Fouts (Charles Steward), and grandson Joe Grover; great-grandchildren Rosily, Noah, and Jackson Garrett, and Samuel and Ezra Steward; and many extended family members, friends, and neighbors.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 9 at 2:00 pm. at the Ohio Living Westminster-Thurber Tower.

Memorial gifts can be made to Ohio Living Foundation to support Westminster-Thurber's life care program.