Roll Call Tribute

Jack Lloyd Groff 

October 27, 1925 - November 30, 2023 

Jack Lloyd Groff, 98, of Kerrville, Texas, passed away on November 30, 2023 in Kerrville. He was born in San Angelo, Texas as an only child of Julia Boatright Groff and Ernest Fred Groff, Jr. on October 27, 1925. He married Waldean McDougall of Harper, Texas on November 1, 1952 at First Presbyterian Church of Harper, Texas. The Groff's welcomed sons, Ernest Fred Groff, III and Kyle Lloyd Groff to the family.

Jack attended schools in San Angelo graduating from Water Valley High School in 1943. Following two- and a half years with the Naval Air Corps, he attended San Angelo Junior College and transferred to Texas A&M University, where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in 1949 in Animal Science and a Master's Degree in Agricultural Education in 1968.

Groff's career of service to the wool and mohair industry was long and varied. He was a wool core sampler for the USDA loan program in San Angelo, County Agent in Bandera County, buyer and assistant manager of Blackwell Wool and Mohair in Kerrville, and from 1962 to 1968, he served as state sheep and goat specialist with Texas A&M University, headquartered in Kerrville. He also served two years as president of the Mohair Council of America and operated the family ranch raising sheep, goats and cattle in Harper until 2005.

In addition, he judged Angora goats in North America, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. He established sheep and goat selective breeding programs in numerous counties involving thousands of head each year. He participated in 39 Sonora Wool Shows as a coach, committeeman and 19 years as superintendent. He classified the San Antonio Wool Shows 40 consecutive years and the Fort Worth and San Angelo shows for 17 years. He assisted in organizing the Mohair Council of America with Governor Dolph Briscoe and Walter Pfluger.

Jack won numerous awards from the Mohair Council of America, the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association, the Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association, the Texas A&M University Board of Regents and the Fred L. Earwood Memorial Award for his loyalty and dedication to the sheep and goat industry. He provided the welcome address at the annual Texas and Goat Raisers Association each year and was a Lifetime Member of the Hill Country District Junior Livestock Association. He was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church-Kerrville and the Kerrville Masonic Lodge.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Ernest Fred 'Cuatro' Groff, IV; and loving members of both the Groff and Crenwelge families.

Survivors include his loving wife of 71 years, Waldean Groff; sons, Fred Groff and Kyle Groff; grandson, Jack L. Groff, II; and extended members of the family.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 18, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church, 800 Jefferson Street, Kerrville, Texas with the Rev. Jasiel Hernandez Garcia officiating with a reception following the service. Private graveside services will be held at the Harper Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Association, Hill Country District Junior Livestock Association, First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville or a charity of one's choice.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Peterson Regional Medical Center and Peterson Hospice, and the loving, compassionate and supportive caregivers at Juniper Village.