Derral Dwayne Groves

Derral Dwayne Groves, 69, of Topeka, passed away Friday, February 28, 2025 after a long battle of cancer.

He was born July 19, 1955, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Leroy Groves and Marjorie Reece. He graduated from Highland Park High School. After graduation, he joined the United States Marine Corp. 

Derral married Donna Kay Small on July 2, 1979 in Topeka, KS. They welcomed two adoring children, Randy and Scott, to their union in marriage. 

After Derral’s military service, he enrolled in KAW Valley VoTech where he took a welding course and received a certified degree in welding. Derral made this his career where he worked over 20 years until his retirement.

Away from work he enjoyed fishing, riding his Harley motorcycle, going to movies, working on cars and electronic things and going to car shows. Some of the trips he enjoyed were a family ski trip to Colorado, visiting his wife’s family in Pennsylvania and going to Chicago visiting Bubba Gump, the silver bean, Trump Tower and walking around seeing the sights. His greatest joy was spending time with his granddaughter, Camryn, going to the zoo, riding the train and carousel then stopping for ice cream, as well as going to the movies and playing goofy golf. 

He leaves behind his wife, Donna Kay Groves; two sons, Randy (Melissa Hund) Groves and Scott Groves; his beloved granddaughter, Camryn Groves; his siblings, Kenny Groves, Bonnie (David) Brown and Lisa Braden. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Wayne Groves and Tammy Baldwin.

The family will greet friends and relatives at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 from 12:30pm-1:30pm for a visitation. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Mount Hope Cemetery, 4700 SW 17th Street, Topeka KS 66604. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Fisher House, 4801 Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64128 or to Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Medical Center, 2200 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka, KS 66622. 

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