Jack J. Grooms, Jr.

Jack Julian Grooms Jr., 75, of Rockford, IL passed away with family by his side on March 16, 2025. Born on June 1, 1949, in Maryville, TN to his parents, Jack J. Grooms and Florence L. (Hatcher) Grooms. Jack married Kristine (Tarrant) Grooms, and together they shared 35 wonderful years of love and companionship.

Jack dedicated 35 years of his career to Warner Electric/Dana Corp. and later retired from GKN/Walterscheid. Outside of work, he found joy and relaxation in fishing and golfing, always seeking the tranquility of nature. Jack had a deep passion for Outer Space, skydiving, and was a lifelong Chicago Bears fan. He cherished memorable fly-in fishing trips to Canada, where he could indulge in his love for the outdoors.

Jack is survived by his wife, Kristine Grooms; children, Stephanie (Chuck) Lindenschmidt and Stephen (Amanda) Grooms; papa to his grandchildren, Kylie (Mitch) Henneberry, Carter (Kellie) Guest, Autumn (Jonah) Grooms, Ashlie (Adam) Lindquist, and Gatlin Grooms; great-popster to his great-grandchildren, Vivienne, Elias, and Emerson; siblings, Rose Tripp and Phil (Linda) Grooms; sisters-in-law,  Cheryl Huggins, Marg Gromer and Judy Reck; mother of his children, Penny Grooms. Preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Florence “Louise” Grooms; brother, Keith Grooms; best friend, Mark Finnan.

A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory-Mulford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111, from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM. In Lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family to be used in his memory at Mote Aquarium in Sarasota, FL.

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