Joe Clint Groom

Joe Clint Groom, age 93, a resident of Albuquerque since 1964, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2020. Joe was a retired APS Elementary Teacher and Principal. He was born March 29, 1926, in Perry County Tennessee, the sixth of ten children, born to Grady and Lova Mae Hensley Groom. He retired from Albuquerque Public Schools in 1989, having served as a teacher at Collet Park Elementary and Principal at Mountainview Elementary, Pajarito Elementary, and retiring from Bandelier Elementary. Prior to his move to Albuquerque, he served as Assistant Superintendent of the Southwester School District in Illinois. He was a lifelong learner, having attended seven colleges and universities over a period of approximately forty years.

He became a Christian while attending Freed-Hardeman College (now University) in 1949-51. While there, a “pen pal”, Betty Starbuck, started writing to him after hearing he was homesick. They celebrated their 68th anniversary on November 10, 2019. His love for his Lord and God led him to serve as an Elder over a forty-year period, serving four congregations of Churches of Christ. He helped spearhead two “Campaigns for Christ”; one in St. Louis and one in Albuquerque. He also helped develop three religious television series; one in Illinois and two in Albuquerque.

Joe loved to travel with Betty. In addition to six cruises they visited all 50 states, making it all the way to the Arctic Circle, all but two provinces of Canada, and various parts of Mexico, mostly by RV. When younger, they also enjoyed camping. As they traveled, they often took their grandchildren with them.

Family was a very important part of his life. The times he spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren meant so much to them, and they know how precious each one was to him. From the annual pumpkin pie baking for Thanksgiving, to helping Golfernoggins at the age of 82, still working strong until a heart attack slowed him down.

In 2007, Joe published his autobiography, The Journey of a Simple Man.

Joe began documenting his journey of what he called, Into the Dark of Age-Related Dementia, in 2005. His sweet, loving personality remained until the end.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, four sisters, and his beloved son, Mark. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty; daughters, Cynthia and husband Steve West, and Teresa Groom, all of Albuquerque, New Mexico; brother, Jack Groom and wife Dorothy of Linden, Tennessee; grandchildren, Clint West and wife Cathy of Albuquerque, Nathan West and wife Beryl of Ogden, Utah; Stephanie Lewis and husband Cody of Bloomfield, New Mexico, and Cole Ruckstuhl and wife Miranda of Lafayette, Louisiana; great-grandchildren, Jessica Gong and husband Ming, Daniel, Joey, Alyssa and Steven West, Annie, Aeon, Katja, Soren and Andrew Lewis, and Lena Ruckstuhl; two great-great-grandchildren Serena and Ruian Gong; numerous nieces and nephews in Illinois, Tennessee, Missouri, and South Carolina.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 6, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at FRENCH – Lomas.  A Funeral Service will be held Friday, February 7, 2020, 1:00 p.m. at FRENCH – Lomas.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations can be made in Mr. Groom's name to Freed-Hardeman University.