DONALD LEE GROOMS, JR.

Donald Lee Grooms, Jr. died on January 24, 2022. Don was born on July 29, 1962, to Donald and Emogene Grooms of Aurora, Colorado.

Don enlisted in the Army when he was seventeen and attended basic training in Monterey, California. From there, he was stationed at Herzo Artillery Base in Herzogenaurach, Germany, where he explored Europe. Don, a free spirit, traveled west to California before finding his way to Texas. He opened Lion Prints in Bryan and moved to Madisonville in 2005. He then began working with Madison County and then with the City of Madisonville as the Code Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector.

Don loved family, friends, cooking, music and finding hidden treasure along the way. Collecting treasure was his favorite hobby. When Don met Sallie, his passion became working alongside her at Bluebird Haven Estates. He loved that he had a part in creating beautiful memories for those in love. Don and Sallie married on November 11, 2021.

Don always had a smile on his face and would brighten the room with life stories, silly dad jokes or lighthearted pranks. He never took any time for granted, especially with those he loved dearly. It didn’t matter if he was just grabbing a bite to eat or flying across the country to explore a new environment; spending time with his children and those he loved was his favorite thing in the world. He made that known every day. Don loved well and to know Don was to love Don.

Don is survived by his wife, Sallie Reid; children, Lukas Grooms, Olivia Grooms (Dylan), Ingrid Grooms, Ava Grooms and adopted daughter, Constance Durdin; bonus children, Candice Rush Tyler; granddaughter, Grace, and Ben (Katie) Rush; grandchildren, Luke and Hallie and John Reid Carter (Kate); sister, Kathy Householder (Jeff); brothers, Richard Grooms (Nicky) and Kevin Grooms along with many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emogene and Donald Lee Grooms of Baldknob, Arkansas.

Memorials may be made to the Madisonville Police Department.

Funeral services for Donald were held 1 p.m., Saturday, January 29, 2022 at First Baptist Church, Madisonville, Texas.

Services were under the direction of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.