Ray Groth

Ray E. Groth - 02/23/2002 Ray E. Groth - 02/23/2002 RAY E. GROTH IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Raymond Edward Groth, 90, of Idaho Falls, died February 23, 2002, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. He was born December 13, 1911, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Arthur Groth and Marie Julfs Groth. He grew up in Salt Lake City and graduated from East High School. During World War II he served as a Civil Aeronautics Flight Instructor with the U. S. Civilian Aeronautics Corps. He married Helen Pembroke October 12, 1935, in Salt Lake City. Helen passed away April 30, 1981. On February 13, 1984, he married Elaine Kearnes in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. After Ray and Helen married he worked in Salt Lake City for Standard Oil of California. In 1940 they transferred to Idaho Falls and founded Ray Groth Oil Company. In 1952 he became the first branded jobber for Standard Oil in the western United States. During his 62 years in business in Idaho Falls he developed 26 retail gasoline dealerships, some of which included new car agencies. He was past President of the Intermountain Oil Marketers Association and past President of the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce. He was a charter member of the Idaho Falls Country Club and active in the Kiwanis Club and Elks Lodge. Ray was one of the original developers of the Idaho Falls Municipal Airport and helped develop one of the first private airplane dealerships at the Idaho Falls field. He established the first Florsheim Shoe agency on Park Avenue. He and Frank Brown opened Brown's Menswear on Park Avenue, which later became Brown & Gesas. Ray operated a large farm in the Osgood area in the mid 1950s and actively promoted east Idaho's agricultural industry. He was a major stockholder of Old Faithful Beverage Company. Ray's wife, Helen, was part owner of Pembroke's, an office products and engineering supply business. In 1970 he bought the remainder of the business from the Pembroke family, which they operated until 1976. In 1986 he sold the oil business and later bought KUPI Radio. Ray was an avid sportsman and fan. In his early years he played softball and boxed. Later he continued this interest by investing in Pioneer League baseball. Ray loved following his sons in their many different sporting activities. He gave his family years of enjoyment at the cabin on Hebgen Lake in Montana. He will be remembered lovingly for his kind generosity and the legacy he has left to his family. Surviving are:Wife: Elaine Groth, Idaho Falls, IDSon: Mike [Jill] Groth, Idaho Falls, IDSon: Terry B. [Sue] Groth, Boise, IDSon: Richard A. Groth, Park City, UTSon: Ray A. [Deidra] Groth, Salt Lake City, UTStepdaughter: Monnette [Roy] Reynolds, Idaho FallsStepson: William [Pat] Ashton, Island Park, IDBrother: Robert [Lisa] Groth, McMinnville, OR 11 Grandchildren, 9 Great GrandchildrenHe was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Helen. Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 26, 2002, at the Wood Chapel of the Pines. The family will visit with friends on Tuesday for one hour prior to the services at Wood Funeral Home. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402-4092. Phone: (208) 522-2751 FAX: (208) 522-5413 The family suggests memorials to the Idaho Youth Ranch, P. O. Box 8538, Boise, ID 83707 [ Previous Obituary - Keith L. Johnson | Current Obituary | Next Obituary - Dorothy V. Jenson ]