Obituary for James "Jim" Edward Groepler
James “Jim” Edward Groepler, 71, of Lilesville, passed away Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at his home, surrounded by his loving wife of 32 years, his son, and dogs.
He was born in Rockville Centre, New York, January 24, 1951, son of the late Kurt Groepler, Jr. and Vera Lee Edwards Groepler.
Some of his fondest childhood memories were of his time spent in the Wilmington, NC area with his extended family. In his early teens, the family moved several times ending up in Albuquerque, NM where he graduated high school, also attending UNM. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1971, serving in several roles around the world.
After leaving the Navy he remained in Florida, opening his own avionics repair and installation shop, then selling it several years later. In that time frame, in addition to his business, he obtained his commercial pilots license, his test pilot certificate, as well as his 500 Ton CG Captain’s license. After a divorce, he returned to Albuquerque, NM, where he met and married his wife, Jean Groepler. Jim, Jean, and newborn son moved to Kansas, opening, operating, and selling a series of grocery stores. After several moves and living on various boats, they returned to open, operate, and sell one last grocery store. Feeling a sense of family obligation, the family moved to SC where they purchased and lived aboard a large sailing vessel.
After the passing of his stepmother, his father moved aboard for a brief time before buying his own vessel. Both vessels traveled, ending up back in NC. After the passing of his father, both vessels were sold, and land was purchased in the Lilesville area.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Kurt and Vera Lee Groepler and his older brother Kurt Groepler.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Jean Groepler and his son, Jim Groepler.
His strong faith and convictions were guiding factors of his life and his writings as The Cairo Curmudgeon.
All services will be held in private by his family and close friends.
Per Jim’s request, memorials may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Groepler family.
Online condolences may be made at www.harringtonfuneralhome.com
He was born in Rockville Centre, New York, January 24, 1951, son of the late Kurt Groepler, Jr. and Vera Lee Edwards Groepler.
Some of his fondest childhood memories were of his time spent in the Wilmington, NC area with his extended family. In his early teens, the family moved several times ending up in Albuquerque, NM where he graduated high school, also attending UNM. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1971, serving in several roles around the world.
After leaving the Navy he remained in Florida, opening his own avionics repair and installation shop, then selling it several years later. In that time frame, in addition to his business, he obtained his commercial pilots license, his test pilot certificate, as well as his 500 Ton CG Captain’s license. After a divorce, he returned to Albuquerque, NM, where he met and married his wife, Jean Groepler. Jim, Jean, and newborn son moved to Kansas, opening, operating, and selling a series of grocery stores. After several moves and living on various boats, they returned to open, operate, and sell one last grocery store. Feeling a sense of family obligation, the family moved to SC where they purchased and lived aboard a large sailing vessel.
After the passing of his stepmother, his father moved aboard for a brief time before buying his own vessel. Both vessels traveled, ending up back in NC. After the passing of his father, both vessels were sold, and land was purchased in the Lilesville area.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Kurt and Vera Lee Groepler and his older brother Kurt Groepler.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Jean Groepler and his son, Jim Groepler.
His strong faith and convictions were guiding factors of his life and his writings as The Cairo Curmudgeon.
All services will be held in private by his family and close friends.
Per Jim’s request, memorials may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Groepler family.
Online condolences may be made at www.harringtonfuneralhome.com