Charles Thomas Grogan

Mr. Charles Thomas Grogan, age 92, of Murray, Kentucky died Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at his home. He was born in Murray, Kentucky on October 9, 1922, to the late James Dee and Inez Yarbrough Grogan. In addition to his parents he is also preceded in death by two sisters, Morelle Hickingbottom and Edna Lee Wilson; one brother, James Max Grogan; one niece, Anna-Marie McCage.

After returning from the war, Mr. Grogan obtained his pilot's license from the airport at Midway, becoming the first to receive a pilot's license from Midway. He enjoyed flights where he could fly over the properties of his nine aunts and uncles. Often a little mischief accompanied these flights. In the later part of the 1940's Mr. Grogan moved to Michigan to look for work. Soon after arriving in Detroit, he found the girl he had met at the Dew Drop Inn back home in Murray. She had also moved to Michigan with a sister to work in their aunt and uncle's restaurant. They began dating and on April 29th, 1947, were joined in marriage. He was employed with the Intertown Suburban Bus Company for fifteen years as a bus driver. When the Bus Company closed its business, Mr. Grogan used that experience to acquire employment as a test driver for Ford Motor Company in Dearborn. In 1978, he chose early retirement with fifteen years of exemplary service to Ford Motor Company. He and his family moved back to Murray. He enjoyed working on the farm, planting large gardens. He missed driving. He became a driver for various groups. He drove a bus for North Elementary, then drove for Murray State University Racer Baseball Team and then for the Student Teachers in the Education Department.
He was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army, he came off the frontlines on Christmas Day 1944. He was fighting the Germans in the Battle of Bulge. His love for his country led him to serve, however the loss of his brother, James Max, who was killed while serving, made reminiscing of the war difficult.
While living in Michigan he attended the Garden City Church of Christ in Garden City Michigan; He was a former deacon and elder of the Wayne Church of Christ in Wayne, Michigan; He was the deacon in charge of transportation at the Seventh and Poplar/ Glendale Road Church of Christ; He drove many miles on the "Big Bus", taking members to singings, kids to camp, and teens to their area-wide youth devotionals. He and Deen taught the 3 and 4 year olds Wednesday night Bible class where they enjoyed seeing the children learning about God. In later years, Mr. Grogan enjoyed attending the Young at Hearts class. He was also a member of the Senior Citizens in Murray.

He is survived by his wife Deen Gordon Grogan of Murray, Kentucky. Also surviving are: two daughters, Shelia Sztanyo and husband Dick of Pelham, Alabama and Tamy Roland and husband Timothy of Bartlett, Tennessee; six grandchildren, Jimmy Sztanyo and wife Kim, Tracy Bailey and husband Daryl, Shannon Ballenger and husband Paul, Meredith Kee and husband Jeffrey, Jonathan Roland and Emily Roland; five great grandchildren, Laura Bailey, Jake Bailey, Braxton Sztanyo, Brantley Sztanyo and Jackson Ballenger. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am in the chapel of the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home on Saturday, May 23, 2015. Jason Hart, John Dale, Dick Sztanyo, and Timothy Roland will officiate with burial to follow in the Hicks Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Saturday, May 23, 2015 from 9:00 am till funeral hour.

Online condolences may be made at www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com.