Max A Groom

On August 11, 2017, just four weeks after painfully telling his sweetheart Ruth “goodbye”, Max A Groom joyously returned to her side where he had been for the past 72 years. Max was born on December 26, 1922, to Charles Nathan and Maud Rachel Allen Groom in the little farming community of Garfield, Idaho. He was the oldest of four children born to that union (Max, Rex, Vada, and Gloria). Upon the death of his mother at age 12, his father married Ethel Poulson.  Then two more daughters (Barbara and Helen) joined their family. Max graduated from Ucon High School in 1941. He was fortunate to be in the last group of young men called to serve an LDS mission during WWII and diligently served in the East Canadian Mission.  Upon his return, he met his sweetheart and joined the Navy.  Max and Ruth were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 27, 1945.  They had a year-long honeymoon in San Diego where Ruth joined Max while he served as a Naval cost inspector. Life after WWII led Max into business. Modern Plumbing & Heating in Rigby filled his days. Night classes and serving the Lord filled his evenings.  He served in the bishopric, the Young Men’s organization, and scouting program until he was called as a stake clerk in 1960.  For the next 22 years, he served in the Rigby Stake as a clerk, as a counselor to President Henry Piper, and then as stake president.  He loved the people he worked with and came to know. As busy as he always was, Max made time to be a good husband and father to his five children. Priceless memories were formed while hiking in the mountains, exploring new places and fishing in the great outdoors.  During those times, lessons were learned and principles were taught. Max’s retirement years were filled with opportunities for service. He was elected to the Rigby City Council and enjoyed serving those in his community.  One of his great loves was working in the Idaho Falls Temple where he was called as a sealer.  A highlight of Max’s life was being able to seal 17 of his grandchildren to their eternal companions.  In their advancing years, Max and Ruth decided they needed another adventure so they eagerly accepted a call to Spain where they served an 18-month mission in Malaga and Motril.  Their temple service resumed when they returned to Idaho. Max always loved to read and learn from the pages between the covers of a book. He became a mentor and pillar of strength to his children and grandchildren.  His love for Ruth and the bond between them made him the great man he became.  When she left his side, his only desire was to be reunited with her.  And now their beautiful “love story” continues… Surviving Max and Ruth are their three daughters, Marcia (Bruce) Johnson, Rhonda (Roger) Terry, and Diane Covington; their two daughters-in-law, Linda Pullman Groom (Richard), and Karla Vail Groom (Bryan); 19 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren. Their two sons (Richard and Bryan) preceded them in death. A celebration of Max’s life will be held on Saturday, August 26th at 1:00 p.m. at the Rigby Stake Center located at 258 W. 1st N. in Rigby, Idaho 83442. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Interment will take place in the Rexburg cemetery under the direction of the Eckersell Funeral Home following the service.