Lonnie Lee Groom (64) a lifelong resident of the Kansas City, MO area passed away December 14, 2018. Although Lonnie battled MS (Multiple Sclerosis) for almost 40 years his passing was very unexpected. He was a true fighter until the very end. However he passed peacefully holding his daughters hand and his wife by his side.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Robert and Joyce Groom. Lonnie is survived by his wife Pam (Hecht), daughter Loren, son in law Matt Caswell, sister Cher Oliver-Mroz, brother Shawn, many in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Lonnie was born on March 22, 1954 in Kansas City, MO. He was a lifelong member and attended Calvary Lutheran Church and School. Graduated from Center High School in 1972. Then received his Bachelors in Liberal Arts and Sciences from UMKC.
He was a hard, dedicated worker at Thyssenkrupp and had many job titles over the 32 years.
Lonnie married Pam in 1980, they spent 10 years traveling and enjoying each other before they had their only daughter Loren. Loren and Lonnie had an extraordinary father daughter relationship. She was his pride and joy.
Despite his illness, he never complained and was always optimistic about life. He will be remembered for his extraordinary work ethic and positive personality. He was truly one of a kind and was an inspiration to everyone. It is hard to express what a void Lonnie has left, as he meant so many things to so many people.
Lonnie loved the outdoors, traveling, his animals, all things sports (especially the Royals), and boy did he love his desserts and sweets, but his main priority in life was his family. He and his wife Pam married 38 years, together for 40 were a model of love and devotion in sickness and in health, good times and bad. As a father, he was a rock…a constant source of support and optimism. As a father-in-law, he could not have been a better friend, confidant and patriarch. As a sibling he was driven, passionate and empathic. To all he was a mentor, generous, and was always there to lend a helping hand.
A visitation will be held on Thursday December 20, 2018 from 5:30-6:30 at Calvary Lutheran Church, 7500 Oak Kansas City, MO. Funeral service will follow.
December 23rd, his daughter will be hosting a Christmas/Lonnie’s Life Celebration at Noah’s Event Venue, 7341 W 133rd St Overland Park, Kansas at 5:30. In honor of Lonnie please feel free to wear your Royals gear, royal blue or just your favorite Christmas sweater. We ask that you bring your favorite covered dish to share, and please take home any leftovers. We hope you’ll join our family and friends to share a special evening with food and drinks along with your favorite stories or memories of this extraordinary man.
Contributions in Lonnie’s memory can be made to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends. May you find comfort in the abundant love of those around you.
I think that was a very moving and heartfelt description of Lonnie. God Bless him and all who mourn him. We shall meet again…
Your dad was always so good to me and the family. Thinking about you in this time. Prayers sent your way. Love you guys.
Words cannot express how sad and lost I feel as a sister, and all of us feel as a family. There is not enough room on this site to tell all our stories and all the wonderful things I could say about my brother.
Lonnie was someone I would call when I remembered a funny childhood story or a “Bobism” (that’s what we called our Dad’s many “sayings”) and we would share a good laugh. He was always my inspiration whenever I was going through an illness, a surgery, broken bones, etc. I would hold him up as a model of stamina and positive attitude. He truly never complained, no matter how badly he felt, and always maintained his “CAN DO”
attitude!!! Aside from his physical impairments that appeared late in his life, you would never know he had an illness. I often referred to him as the “Duracell Energizer Bunny”. He was always busy and always willing to lend a helping hand.
Lonnie was fun, loved to laugh, and loved to party (especially in is younger years)! He adored his daughter and loved his family.
When we were kids we would play hard, fight like cats and dogs, and yet we were always fiercely protective of each other.
I loved him so much and will miss him with all my heart and soul.
The words expressed in Lonnie’s obit truly describe the wonderful cousin I knew. He always had the most upbeat outlook. I especially remember that as a young child he would tell you that his birthday was “March twenty-tooth”. As a toddler he had a mean Elvis impersonation that entertained everyone. My dad was his baptism sponsor and loved him as much as he loved his own son. May Lonnie rest in Jesus’ care until we meet again in heaven. My sympathy to Pam, Loren, Cher, Shawn, and the rest of his family. ❤️
Couldn’t ask for a nicer sweeter guy to have as a brother-in-law. Always willing to help. Always upbeat. If ever there was an example of mind over body, Lonnie was it. I believe he kept the severity of his horrific disease at bay for as long as he did, by his mindset. Lonnie quickly became the favorite of many of the pets in the Groom household. Lonnie had a special little sound he’d make with his lips, and the pets would come running! Lonnie and I both shared a love for junk food! I’d ask Pam, “You got anything to eat”? She’d say “Yeah, Lonnie just went to the store”. I’d be like “Score!” and run into the kitchen. If Lonnie went to the store, you can bet there would be Ho Hos or Ding Dongs or some other kind of junk food on top of the fridge! My favorite memory was of Lonnie and Loren. Loren was around 2 or 3. Lonnie would say to Loren “Muscles”! Loren would strike a body builder pose. Then Lonnie would say “Shake”. Loren, would shake, like a body builder trying to hold a pose! It was hilarious!! Lonnie, you will be missed but never forgotten.
Words cannot express how I feel at this moment, however, I will try to share my heartfelt thoughts. I’m Lonnie and Pam’s neighbor, Marilyn Wright, of twenty seven years. Lonnie was always an inspiration to me esp. in his latter days. I would observe him doing his endeavors on most days and his actions would always remind me to never give up, that was Lonnie, he never gave up. over a month ago, I walked across the street to try and help him take in groceries, and to my surprise, during his time of struggle, he refused me. We had the opportunity to share words of encouragement in that moment, but I still was not allowed to help. Lonnie was truly a role model for us as his neighbor, He was always out grooming and mowing his beautiful lawn and his perseverance kept my husband challenged and humbled. I enjoyed that because he wasn’t going to let Lonnie out do him, but over the years he done just that!!! It was truly a blessing to have him as our neighbor, his presence spoke great volume. He will be greatly missed. God Bless.
I loved Lonnie and Pam. I felt responsible for him like a brother. He was a superb human being with so much love.