With loving wife and daughters surrounding him, Charles Kenneth Groscost passed on May 7th, 2019. He was a truly wonderful individual. Ken was born on June 13th, 1931 to Charles Arthur Lewis Groscost and Maud Elizabeth George Groscost in Logan, Utah. He was the middle child of 5. When he was 9 years old his family moved to Tooele, Utah where he spent the rest of his youth. Ken married Catherine Smith on August 28th, 1958 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. His love for Catherine is legendary. They were married for over 60 years. He had a generous spirit and encouraged his children in their interests. He taught his family to serve, love others, and have fun! He would most want to be remembered as a man who adored his wife and family, and spent his life serving them, encouraging them, and creating wonderful, fun memories with them.
Ken was a navigator in the Air Force and served with the Strategic Air Command. He loved flying and piloting his own private planes. Ken graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from Brigham Young University and pursued extensive post graduate work at Arizona State University. A psychologist by profession, he had a passion for helping at risk children and worked for 40 years both for the public schools and in private practice. Many have expressed gratitude for his insights and counsel. Ken had many skills and he built three beautiful homes for his family in Tooele, Utah, Mesa, Arizona and Port Townsend, Washington. He and Catherine’s retirement to Washington State were 20 truly golden years. One of their greatest joys was having family and friends visit and enjoy hiking in the woods, walking on the beach, kayaking, fishing, crabbing, clamming and beach combing with them. He enjoyed many activities, including: reading, family history, travel, wood carving, playing the trumpet, singing, writing poetry, story-telling, and gardening.
Ken was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served two missions for the church, first in the Eastern States Mission as a young man and later with his wife Catherine in Kirtland, Ohio. Ken loved the temple and served as an ordinance worker. He also loved missionary work and sought opportunities to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the end of his life. He read scripture every day until it was no longer possible. His testimony of the power and atonement of Jesus Christ is sure. His gratitude, faith, and devotion to our Lord and Savior never faltered. The gospel of Jesus Christ gave meaning, guidance and peace to him throughout his long and blessed life.
Ken is survived by his wife Catherine and his children; Elizabeth (Wayne) Carroll, Kristen (Joel) Babbitt, Amy Groscost, and daughter-in-law Dana Groscost, his grandchildren; Noelle (Brandon) Shobe, Charles “Chad” (Whitney) Groscost, Logan Groscost, Reagan (Aaron) Favreau, Gunnar (Bekah) Groscost, Griffin Groscost, Jesse Groscost, Jill (Eric) Burgoyne, Nathan (Arielle) Carroll, Leighton (Mari) Carroll, Matthew Kenneth (Anna) Carroll, Catherine Carroll, Xander Babbit, James Babbitt, Anna Babbitt and Joseph Babbitt. He is also survived by 13 great-grand children, a brother James (Colleen) Groscost, sisters-in-law; MaryAnn Smith and Vivian Groscost, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sons; Gregory Charles Groscost and Jeffrey Smith Groscost, a sister Barbara Thomas, brothers; Keith Groscost and John Groscost, brothers-in-law; Nicholas Smith and Kenneth Thomas, and sister-in-law Kathleen Groscost.
We love him deeply. We will miss him always. We are absolutely overjoyed for him.
We are grateful for all those who so lovingly cared for Ken during his last days, especially Shanon Herrera who was with us during his final hours.
Schedule for services:
Viewing: Thursday, May 16th – 5:00-7:30 p.m. at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ
Interment: Friday, May 17th – 10:00 a.m., at Mesa City Cemetery, Center St. Entrance, 1212 N. Center St., Mesa, AZ
Visitation: Memorial Day, Monday, May 27th, – 10:30 a.m., Memorial Service – 12:00 p.m., LDS South Stake Center, 2334 E. Pueblo Ave., Mesa, AZ
Amy, my condolences to you and your family. You will all be in my prayers.
Ami sorry for your loss , you and your family are on my prayers.
Ken was a wonderful neighbor and a tremendous help to my youngest daughter when she was at Taylor Jr High. He was truly a great man as well as his wife and daughters. They are a choice family
Ken was one of the smartest men I’ve ever met, and his mentorship as a boy growing up in Forks Washington meant the world to me. Happy Trails Ken. you’ll be missed.
We will miss Ken! He was our branch president in Forks Washington and he and Katherine were always a team! If you saw one you saw the other! We have many fond memories of him through the years and his love of the gospel was very evident in his life.. what a great reunion with his sons on the other side.. our deepest condolences to his family! God be with you till we meet again Ken!
Ken was one of the wisest men I have been blessed to know. He was like another grandfather and always had such great insights and advice for life and was a spiritual giant. He was so full if life and I have nothing but fond and happy memories of Ken and his beautiful family. He is an amazing man and has left quite the legacy for his friends and family! My life has truly been blessed by his presence in it.
Amy, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am sorry to hear about your father. Thinking of you and your entire family during this difficult time.
“May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding be with you all as you cope with the loss of Mr, Groscost, You are in my prayers for comfort from Jehovah, the God of all comfort. Revelation 21:4, John 5:28,29,
We are saddened to learn of Ken’s passing. When we met Ken and Catherine (Cathy) some 56 years ago in Alma Second Ward, we were all young with several children. We had a few eventful camping trips with the Groscosts’ in which Ken kept us entertained.
We have been so blessed to have known and kept in touch with two such special people throughout the years.
What a beautiful family….and an extraordinary man.
Sending my heartfelt sympathy to all of you.
To the Groscost family and friends please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of your loved one Charles.
Very soon Jesus Christ will resurrect the loved ones we have lost in death back to life Acts 24:15; John 5:28, 29, right here on a brand new Paradise Earth no more sickness pain or death Life Without End Revelation 21:1-5 jw.org.
I worked with Ken for several years in Mesa Public Schools at Mesa Jr. High and at the main office doing a follow-up survey. I was one of the counselors at MJH and as such sat in on many meetings with parents and students that Ken worked with. I enjoyed our friendship very much. My regards to you, Cathy, and family.
We love you all! What a beautiful service and a life well lived!
Joyce Connor Kylie Jim and Joan Singleton