John Ralph Grubb, Jr., 96, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at his home, Rosewood on Broadway, in Fargo, North Dakota. John was born on January 30, 1923 to John and Mabel (Levengood) Grubb in Pomeroy, Pennsylvania, the youngest of two children. He was a 1941 graduate of S. Horace Scott Senior High School in Coatesville, Pennsylvania where he was said to be “definitely air-minded … never punctual … school spirit superb … band member … accommodation for everyone in his car.”
John’s lifetime career in aviation began at an early age, receiving his private pilot’s license at the age of fifteen. He could fly before he could legally drive a car. He got a job at the Coatesville airport, as a teenager, washing airplanes. He refused money as payment asking, instead, for flying lessons.
In his early days as a private pilot John flew his J-3 Cub any chance he got, to build up his time; delivering medicine, groceries, newspapers, etc. to rural farmers in Pennsylvania. John served in the Army Airforce during World War II as a flight instructor where he kept our forces supplied with qualified, well-trained airmen. Even though his desire was to become a fighter pilot, his superiors realized that his greatest skill, that of an instructor, was of greater value. We thank him for his service to our country.
After the war he began his own crop dusting business in South Carolina while teaching himself aerial acrobatics. In 1947 he received his ATP certificate (Airline Transportation Pilot) DC-3 type rating; the highest level of aircraft pilot certification. In the early 1950s, he was among the initial class of pilots when JP Stevens Company decided to begin its own aviation department at the Greenville Downtown airport before later moving its operation to the newly built Greenville-Spartanburg Airport. Among his many trips with Stevens, he had the pleasure annually of flying Santa Claus to the airport for the Stevens’ Children’s Christmas party. He had fun showing off his acrobatic skills much to the chagrin of his onlooking wife.
He met his beautiful bride and wife of 49 years, Barbara Loyola Quinn, through a blind date in New York City where they both worked for Stevens; she in the executive office, he in corporate aviation. They were later married on Christmas Eve of 1952 in Greenville, South Carolina.
In later years, he was fortunate enough to be invited, by his passengers, to play golf with them at some of the most prestigious golf courses in the country. His children always knew when he was headed to work because he would have his golf bag slung over his shoulder and a big grin on his face.
He was able to fly until the age of seventy, passing his aviation physicals every year, only retiring when the insurance rates were too high to justify his employment. In addition to his passion for flying, John also enjoyed working on cars, playing golf, big band music and playing his trumpet.
A special thank you to everyone at Rosewood on Broadway and Hospice of the Red River Valley in Fargo, North Dakota for their loving care and support during his final days. Also, the family would like to extend their gratitude towards Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home in Fargo, ND and Mackey Mortuary in Greenville, SC for accommodating our needs during this difficult time.
John is survived by his daughters; Mary Joan Grubb and Patricia Grubb Munson (Charlie Munson); sons Bryan Grubb (Carolyn Grubb), Jim Grubb, Bill Grubb and Phillip Grubb (Julie Grubb); grandchildren: Steven Sloan (Erikson Arcaira), Ashley Sloan (Andrew Haldeman), Tyler Grubb, Logan Grubb, Dalton Grubb and Brooklyn Grubb; great grandchildren, Abigail Sloan and Casen Haldeman.
John was preceded in death by; his parents, his older brother, Herman Grubb, whom he taught to fly, became a B-29 pilot during WWII where he gave his life in service to our country; his beautiful wife, Barbara and his son, John Grubb III.
The family will greet friends from 12:30 to 1:30 pm on Sunday, August 4, 2019 at Mackey at Century Drive in Greenville, SC with the funeral service to follow in the chapel at Mackey at Century Drive at 1:45 pm. John will be laid to rest next to his wife, Barbara, at Graceland East Cemetery, Woodruff Road in Simpsonville, SC.
Memorials may be made to John’s granddaughter’s fundraising page at the Alzheimer’s Association of America. http://act.alz.org/goto/ashleys
