Jacob “Dutch” Groothof, 93, of Colorado Springs, CO passed away on Thursday, February 5th. He was born on Sept. 30, 1932 in The Hague, Netherlands to Jacob Groothof and Pietertje Cornelia van de Kamp. On 1 May 1951 Jacob, then 18, emigrated with his parents from Holland to the United States of America. On 15 May 1955 Jacob enlisted in the US Army, retiring on 31 Dec. 1975 as a Master Sergeant having served two tours of duty in Korea, one tour in Vietnam and two tours of duty in Germany. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, 1st through 5th awards, National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars; Vietnam Campaign Medal: Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm; Meritorious Unit Citation; Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; Meritorious Service Medal. After retiring from the Army, he was employed by Mountain Bell and AT&T as a Service Manager, and Civil Service employee with the Fort Carson Transportation Office as a Transportation Assistant.
He is survived by his loving wife Sharon Lee Jarvis, two daughters Elisabeth Petra Croddy of Colorado Springs, Patricia Ann Ford of Meridian, Idaho, one son, Shane Jacob Groothof of Colorado Springs, daughter-in-law Pabla Cecilia Vallejos Ybarra, son-in-law Michael Croddy, three grandsons, David James Ford, Keith Michael Croddy, Byron Jacob Groothof, and one granddaughter Cecilia Lenore Groothof. He was pre-deceased by one daughter, Michelle Marlene Groothof of Meridian, Idaho.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17th, at the Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel.