Jess Groves Jr., 77, longtime area resident, died Monday, May 12, 2008 at the Colorado Plains Medical Center in Ft. Morgan. Jess was born February 3, 1931 in Orchard, Colorado to Jess and Selma (Burkhardt) Groves. He married Alyce L. Davis on November 23, 1958 in Derby, Colorado. He has lived in Morgan County most of his life and has lived in Orchard since 1972. Jess was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ft. Morgan. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding his four wheeler in the mountains. Jess loved to make people smile and always had a good joke to tell. His family was important to him and he loved teasing his grandchildren. Survivors include his wife Alyce of Orchard, two sons, Pat Groves of Orchard and Mike Groves of Weldona, two daughters, DebraAnn Ferguson and Dawn Gerken both of Ft. Morgan, one brother, Larry Groves of Ft. Morgan and eleven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Gary Allen Groves, one daughter, Joy Groves and one sister, Lucille Kembel. Funeral Services will be Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 11:00 AM at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ft. Morgan. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Ft. Morgan. Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ft. Morgan. Heer Mortuary and Crematory in Fort Morgan is in charge of the arrangements.