Jerry Groom

Jerry Groom of Vermillion, SD left this world on Thanksgiving day at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls with family by his side. He had struggled with heart disease for many years. Jerry was born into a military family in Belleville, IL. His parents were Otis Gerald Groom and Betty Lou (Weems/Baker) Groom. The family moved many times and Jerry attended four different high schools in four years, graduating from Moore High School in Moore, OK. He attended Kansas University and finished his degree in graphic arts thirty years later at the Central University of Oklahoma in Edmond, OK. He worked most of his life in loss prevention for retail stores but considered himself an artist. He never married.

Jerry is survived by his only sister, Sandra Lea Dickenson, his brother in law, Charles Ross Dickenson, both of Vermillion and his three nieces: Amanda Dickenson of Vermillion, Robin McMullen(Bryan) of Rosemount, MN and Jennifer Luke (Micah) of Eastpointe, MI. He is preceded in death by his parents.

A private family service will be held at the United Church of Christ, Vermillion on December 31. His ashes will be interred next to his parents at Gracelawn Cemetery in Edmond, OK at a later date. The family appreciates all condolences but requests no memorials.