Roger Allen Groom

March 10, 1948 - July 15, 2020

Roger Allen Groom, also known as Husband, Dad, Daddy, Granddaddy, Granddad, Randad, Friend, Mentor, United States Air Force Veteran, Entrepreneur and Die-Hard Florida Gators Fan ended his battle with cancer in his home in Canton, Georgia on Wednesday July 15, 2020 at seventy-two years old. He rejoined his mother, Mozelle F. Groom and his father Ruben P. Groom and his beloved German Shepherd, Maxx, to live his eternal life in his new pain-free body in his Heavenly home. His family surrounded him and showered him with love and will continue to do so for one another, especially his beautiful, loving bride of fifty-three and a half years Candyce (Candy) C. Groom. He left them all with a love of chocolate and appreciation of dessert as well as a strong understanding of the importance of forgiveness and sticking together. Growing up on the river in Jacksonville, Florida, Roger was a keen outdoorsman and loved to be on the water. On weekends, he was typically found boating and fishing with friends and family, especially his best friend Freddie Thomas and his son Damon A. Groom (wife, Sonya Groom). Those three had some crazy adventures. Damon loves telling about the time Roger fell out of the boat backwards and miraculously came back out and his wallet wasn’t even wet! When he wasn’t on the water, he was coaching his beloved daughter Candyce L. Groom (Gary Larrick) on the softball field sporting his knee- high softball socks and trucker-style cap as she so happily recalls. After moving to Georgia in the early 90s with Candy and youngest daughter Meredith (husband, Steven Hanft) to further his career in sales, he could be found in the stands cheering for the Sequoyah High School Band of Chiefs every Friday night during half time. There is a theme here, you see… Roger was a present father. Was he always perfect? Nah, but he was present and involved. He loved his family. Speaking of perfection… In 1991, Roger took Candy and Meredith on a road trip to see the mountains in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Teasing, he had spoken of his amazing perfection for years. He hated, loathed even, ordering through a drive thru. Candy would have to lean over and shout to order because he would flatly refuse. Well, this one instance, she refused. Roger had to order himself. Funny for a traveling salesman to not order from a drive thru, isn’t it? Well, Hardees sells hash rounds instead of hash browns. For some reason, Roger the consummate chocoholic, ordered Fudge Rounds. Like the Little Debbies. The embarrassment, the giggles from the ladies in the car, the lack of perfection was all too much. For the last twenty-nine years, poor Roger has lived beneath the cloud of the Fudge Rounds. Any time he tried to declare his perfection, those Fudge Rounds came back to haunt him. Needless to say, he preferred to go in to eat at fast food restaurants. When most people would be considering retirement, Roger decided to open his own business, Rocan Industrial Products, after many years working in industrial sales. Roger worked a successful business until a few months before his death. He worked through pain, even having Candy drive him to work and travel with him the final months. Roger was a blessing to his customers. He considered them friends and they considered him the same. He knew some of them for forty years! In his final months, once he had to sell his business and retire, many of his customers continued to call. They didn’t call to place orders, they called to check on their friend. They called to share their love and prayers. One man called weekly, telling Meredith upon Roger’s passing that his life was forever changed having known Roger. Roger was also an active member in the church. He served as a deacon and was active in Sunday school. His church friends were his family as well. He cared deeply for each and every one and loved his current pastor, Eddie Rhodes. He was truly delighted to watch the new church come to life. He was blessed by the gentlemen of the church and they by him. Roger was the proudest grandfather and great-grandfather one could ever meet. He is survived by his granddaughter Ashley Jarrett and her husband Allen Jarrett as well as their five children: Jairon Jarrett, Steven Jarrett, Yoshi Jarrett, Elynn Jarrett, and Brecken Jarrett; Grandson Roger A. Groom II and his wife Beth Groom and their children Kane Groom and Quinn Groom; Grandson Christian Larrick; Granddaughter Victoria Delgado; Granddaughter Alexandria Groom; Grandson Brendon Groom; Granddaughter Hazel Hanft; and Grandson Wren Hanft. Due to COVID-19 related restrictions, we will delay a celebration of life until the Fall. Please keep in contact with the family for updates. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org or German Shepherd Dog Rescue of Georgia at gashepherd.org.