Mark Alan Groves

Mark Alan Groves was born on June 2 ^nd, 1963, in Willard Ohio, the firstborn child of Vance Jerry and Virginia Ozel (Forehand) Groves.

He was raised in Ohio with younger siblings Lora, Debbie, Lisa, and Kevin.

When Mark was 12, his family moved to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Throughout middle school and high school, Mark spent long hours at the piano in the front of an empty church sanctuary, listening to recorded music and teaching himself chord progressions, music composition, lyric writing, vocal performance, song arranging in 3-part harmony, and his favorite—raucous, joyful black gospel rhythms. By the time Mark graduated from South Albany High School in Albany Oregon in 1981, he had written over 100 songs and three musicals for children.

After high school Mark attended Tomlinson College in Cleveland, Tennessee, where his accomplished piano playing accompanied nearly every campus event—and he continued to write and arrange music and direct fellow students in many choirs and small ensembles. In both high school and in college, Mark taught many formerly shy people to boldly take the stage and belt out harmonies that would bring down the house. Mark was named “Favorite Musician” at Tomlinson College in 1984.

Mark passed away with his sisters by his side on April 10 ^th , 2022 in Albany, Oregon after complications following surgery. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and numerous beloved aunts and uncles. Mark is survived by his mother, Virginia, and father Jerry; siblings, Lora (Randi), Lisa (C.D.), Debbie (Stephanie) and Kevin; many beloved lifelong friends, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.