John James Grolig IV, a beloved member of the Class of '61, died on August 17, 2019.

This January John fell and broke his hip. There were many setbacks resulting in an arduous seven months going back and forth between hospitals and rehab.

Many will remember him for his roles in Damn Yankees and Oklahoma. John met Judy Johnson at B-CC and they've been together ever since. They've remained happily married since 1962. John was appointed to the D.C. Fire Department on January 1, 1964. He retired on October 1, 1984. After retiring, he joined his oldest and dearest friend Dean Noah at Noah and (Beale) Cummings Realty. A few years ago John became an ardent BBQ cook, traveling to various events.

John and Judy were active members of our Reunion Committee since its inception 10 years after our graduation.

They have two sons, Kevin and Jeff, as well as many grandchildren.

Official obituary from the funeral home site: On Saturday, August 17, 2019, of Rockville, MD. Beloved husband to Judith L. Grolig for 57 years; father of Kevin Grolig and Jeffrey Grolig; dear grandfather to Kristen K. Grolig, Ashley P. Grolig, Kelsey L. Grolig, James “Jake” Grolig, and Amanda J. Grolig. He was predeceased by his parents John and Arla Grolig. He is also survived by many other loving relatives and friends.

John, who retired from the D.C. Fire Department in 1984 after 20 years of service, could captivate any audience with stories of his time as a truck driver for Engine Company 3. He was known by his friends and family for his charisma, his easy to crack tough exterior, and his often irreverent humor. He spent the last years of his life lovingly caring for his wife Judy as she battles against Alzheimer’s Disease, always keeping his signature humor about him. He passed peacefully with his family and one of his many life-long friends by his side.

From John's son Kevin:

Saturday morning my father, John Grolig passed away peacefully after a courageous 8 month struggle with various complications stemming from a broken hip.

Me and my kids will miss him terribly, but are at peace knowing he's at peace. No more poking, no more prodding, no more procedures, no more pain. He's finally resting at HOME.

I wanted to take this time to tell you a little about my dad. No doubt, it will be a little wordy but give me a freaking break it's therapeutic for me. John Grolig was a true original, and as authentic as they come. You always knew where you stood with him because he called it, like he saw it. That's not to say he was always right, but that's how he rolled. No fluff, No filler, No B.S., just all substance. He was a retired DC Firefighter and real man’s-man.

He was a great and loyal son, husband, father, grandfather and friend. Big John was always the funniest person in the room, and a storyteller like no other. I often realized that as funny as my dad was, he was the most funny when he wasn't trying. I also realized while he would have people laughing until it hurt, nobody laughed harder than him which only made the room laugh that much harder. Dude was hilarious. He had a certain charm and charisma that was infectious. My mom always used to roll her eyes and say he went a long way on "Cute". I never looked at him as cute, but now I see what she meant.

John was a charismatic storyteller who could captivate any audience with his tales of his many adventures- from his time as a wagon master for the Fire Department to his never-ending search for the best bargain on 12-packs of soda. His friends and family remember him for his hearty laugh, his irreverent humor, and his tough-guy exterior that was easily belied by his love for his grandkids and his four and a half pound Pomapoo, Bitsy. In his younger years, John was an avid runner, completing the New York Marathon in 1979. In later years, he was an avid cook and eater, becoming a Master Judge for the Kansas City Barbeque Society in 2010. For his entire life he was a lovable pain in the ass.

The last 6-7 years I witnessed a real transformation in him. While he was still the funny guy with the big personality, I saw him change from man's-man to gentle-man. From loud and maybe somewhat full of himself to sweet and humble. Our whole family was incredibly touched by the patience he displayed in caring for my mother who has been battling Alzheimer''s for quite some time. Frankly, I never saw this transformation coming, but it could only occur by him coming to know the Lord. He watched my mom go to church for nearly 40 years without him. When she could no longer go on her own he started to take her. Not only did he take her to church, but he started attending bible study regularly as well. This was not the man I knew for 45 years, but you could see a sense of grace and peace he never had.

Not only was my father attentive and caring to her needs, he was also extremely patient, and let me tell you it wasn't easy. Patience was never a virtue John Grolig naturally possessed, but it's one he acquired. Who says you can't teach old dogs new tricks? I was especially touched by how he stood by her side, and protected her when she wasn't able to do so for herself. Now that's a REAL MAN!

Over the last few years, I've been more involved making decisions with and for my parents. Important decisions they were no longer able to make on their own.

Admittedly, there were times I would get frustrated with both of them. I remember a time or two where I snapped at my mom after she cycled through the same questions over and over again struggling to understand the changes taking place in their lives. I distinctly remember my dad stand up to me and back my punk ass down saying "Don't you talk that way to your mother". I can't tell you how much I respected him for putting me in my place and showing he was still the boss. He was right. I was wrong. End of story! Over the last few years, the last lesson he showed me through actions was what it really meant "to have and to hold, til death do we part".

Rest in peace dad. You planted good seed, and you ran an incredible race. We miss you deeply, but know you want us to move forward. I promise to take care of, and protect mom just like you would have. Dad, thank you for the investment you made into me and our family. I will always be proud to say I'm John Grolig's son. Well done, good and faithful servant.

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