More detail on this person: John Carlton Gruver
passed away on Sunday, April 17, 2016 after a
brave battle with cancer.
John lived a life filled with love and respect
from all who knew him. John Gruver was born in
Oakland, California on September 6, 1932 to Leona
Boeck and John William Gruver. He graduated from
Acalanes High School in 1950. He graduated from
San Francisco State University where he was
commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program
in 1954. He received his Air Force Pilot wings in
1955 and completed Helicopter Pilot training in
1956. He served the Air Force, honorably, over
the next 30 years. His service included duties in
Guam, California, Montana, Thailand, Vietnam,
Florida, Utah, Ohio, Louisiana, Missouri, and
Georgia. During his final assignment, he served
from 1980-1984 as Commander of the 86th Security
Police Squadron and as Assistant Deputy Chief of
Staff for Security Police Headquarters U.S. Air
Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base in West
Germany. Among his many medals and honors,
John was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Air
Force Cross for extraordinary heroism in military
operations as aircraft commander of a UH-1F
helicopter in Vietnam. John C. Gruver retired as
a Colonel after 30 dedicated years of service in
the U.S. Air Force. After retiring, John enjoyed
24 years as a long-time resident of Albuquerque,
New Mexico. He recently moved to Loveland,
Colorado to be closer to family.
John enjoyed Jazz music, creating stained glass,
woodworking, friendly dogs, golfing, good food,
and his close friends and family. Nothing brought
him more joy than being surrounded by his family.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Frances
Lemond Eaton Gruver; his son and daughter-in-law,
Jeff and Linda Gruver of Loveland, Colorado and
their daughters Taylor Gruver Carmichael (husband
Kevin) of Vacaville, California and Jennifer
Gruver of Loveland, Colorado. John's daughter,
Julie Gruver resides in Anchorage, Alaska.
Julie's children, also of Anchorage, Alaska
include Jesse Halverson (wife Gigi) and their
children Ryder, Laritza and Mila; Sean Halverson
(wife Jackie) and their children Olivia and Cole,
and Nick Halverson. Also considered a grandson,
Karl Richard (wife Feather) and their daughter
Eva, of Goodyear, Arizona. John's honesty,
integrity, hard work ethic, sense of humor and
heartfelt devotion to family will be remembered,
always.
A military service will be held at Ft. Logan
National Cemetery at 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd.,
Denver, Colorado on Friday, May 13, 2016 at
2:00pm. Following the service, family and
friends are invited to join a celebration of his
life in the Mirasol Clubhouse at 1153 Finch St.,
Loveland, Colorado at 4:30pm.
Burial information: Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO
This information was last updated 02/03/2012
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Date posted on this site: 10/23/2024
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