Edwin Arthur Groppe

Edwin (Ed, Grandpa) Arthur Groppe, 85, of Amarillo, Texas, passed away May 9, 2024. Edwin was born in Manning, Iowa on December 11, 1938, the oldest of three children of Edwin Henry and Evelyn Groppe. Ed attended St. Johns Lutheran High School in Winfield, Kansas where he lettered in basketball and baseball. While at St. John’s he met the love of his life, Janet Louise Hopkins (Nana). Ed asked Janet to go steady in 1956. They graduated high school in May of 1958. They immediately moved to Cheyenne Wyoming where they were married and were blessed with three children Carla, David, and Kevin. While in Cheyenne, Ed worked at the Frontier Oil Refinery. In their spare time, Ed and Janet built nine custom homes. In 1973, Ed and Janet bought the Bronco Hotel on “Old Route 66” in Amarillo. In 1976, they purchased C&C Paint & Hardware, again on “Old Route 66”. They operated the Hardware Store until their retirement in 2004. After retirement, Ed and Janet moved to Rio Rancho, New Mexico to be near their daughter and grandchildren. They both enjoyed traveling and being with their grandchildren. Ed enjoyed woodworking and implementation of his personal mantra and the family famous quote that his grandchildren were taught from birth, “Grandpa can fix anything.”

Ed was proceeded in death by his father Edwin, mother Evelyn, wife Janet, son David, grandsons Jonathan and Romell. Ed is survived by his brother Allen Groppe (wife Judy) of Cheyenne, sister JoAnn Pauly of Cheyenne, daughter, Carla Swihart (husband Arlan) of Amarillo, son Kevin Groppe (wife Susan) of Houston, grandchildren Jace Swihart (wife Beka) of Amarillo, Stephen Groppe of Lubbock, Blake Swihart (wife Shelby) of Phoenix, Kacie Swihart of Amarillo, Rebeka Groppe of Houston, his great grandchildren Jada Williams (husband Joseph), Ethan Stewart, Ryder Swihart, and Jagger Swihart.

On Thursday, May 16, 2024, Ed will join his lovely wife at their “condo-on-the-hill” overlooking the Rio Grande Valley and out onto the majestic Sandia Peak. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM at Vista Verde Memoria Park, 4310 Sara Rd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. In leu of flowers, please make a donation in Ed’s name to your favorite charity.