Robert Overton Groover, III

A memorial service for Robert Overton Groover, III, 70, of Wills Point, Texas, is scheduled for 11:00 AM, Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at Russell Memorial United Methodist Church. Services are under the direction of Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home in Wills Point. Visitation will be held after services.

Robert passed away on Sunday, June 20, 2021, in Dallas.

Robert Overton Groover, III, was born on August 7, 1950, in Seattle, WA, to Robert Overton Groover, Jr. and Frances Anna Freeman Groover. He was raised in Winter Park, FL in his younger years, and at age10 moved to McLean, VA with his family. He graduated from McLean High School with honors as a National Merit Scholar. Robert went on to college at Yale University, majoring in both Greek and Latin, before attending U.T. Austin’s law school where he earned his J.D. (Juris Doctorate). He is a senior member of the IEEE (the main US professional society for electrical engineers) and also a full member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and a long-term member of the Silicon Valley IP Law Association. As a patent attorney he has written more than a thousand patent applications and prosecuted a much larger number.

He married Gail Varner on October 9, 2005, in Lewisville, TX. They lived in Lewisville for a while before moving to Wills Point to raise their family. Robert ran a successful Patent Attorney business and had degrees in both law and physics. He was a member of Russell Memorial United Methodist Church. Robert enjoyed woodworking, and loved music. He played the bass guitar, saxophone, tuba, French horn, and at least a dozen other instruments.

For all his scholarly, academic, and artistic accomplishments, as well as his brilliant mind, perhaps his greatest achievement has been in raising a wonderful, blended family. Rob was a supremely dedicated husband, father, step-father, and grandfather.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Frances Groover, and infant sister, Frances Groover.

Robert is survived by his wife, Gail Groover of Wills Point, TX; sons, Issac Groover of Georgia, Frank Groover and Robby Groover of Wills Point, TX; daughters, Gwen Corcoran and husband, Bryce of Dallas, TX, Frances Groover and Marguerite Groover of Wills Point, TX; step-sons, Steven Varner and wife, Lizzi of Lewisville, TX, and Desse Little and wife, Alex of Watauga, TX; brothers David Groover, Datta Groover and wife, Rachael Jayne, of Colorado, Brian Groover and wife, Kathi, of Virginia, and Henry Groover and wife, Monica, of Austin, TX; grandchildren, Desse, Lilly, and Ethan; along with numerous other relatives and friends.  

Rob was loved and will be missed by many.

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