Donald Groves was born on December 21, 1937 to his loving parents, Ross and Elvina, n Viroqua Wisconsin where he acquired his small town values of love of life and caring for your neighbor. He died on December 6, 2015 at the home he loved in Dallas, Texas after a long battle with dementia and esophageal cancer.Between that wonderful birth and that undeserved death, Donald spent his early academic years in a one room schoolhouse, attended Lutheran College, spent two years playing French horn in the United States Army band, and started a long career in the automotive business at Humphrey Chevrolet in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He later went to work for General Motors in Detroit, Michigan traveling across the country as an automotive accountant before being transferred to Dallas, Texas where he continued his profession traveling across the South and Southwest. Throughout his many years with General Motors, he enjoyed making and keeping many friends in the towns and cities he worked in before his well earned retirement.Donald Groves was a warm and loving man often referred to by his friends as a Pied Piper or a modern day Auntie Mame. Even though he spent much of his adult life living out of a suitcase for work, he enjoyed every opportunity he had taking both friends and family to experience some of the cities he had traveled to before. He was also a generous person with everyone he met. Whether it involved rolling rolls of coins for the Salvation Army at Christmas or making sure a friend was never overlooked or go without.He enjoyed dining out, attending theater, going to the opera in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He supported the United States Olympics, the SPCA and the ARTT, Associates of the Restored Temple Theatre, in Viroqua, Wisconsin.Donald and Jays sad vigil started on Friday, December 4 and was shared and supported by their dear friends: Steve, John, Herman, Scottie and Jamie. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ross and Elvina, his sister Betty Heltne and his brother Phil. He is survived by his husband and partner of nearly 50 years, Jay Stankiewicz, his loving sister, Rachel Lehmann and her husband, Ed, his sister-in-law, JoAnn and nine nephews and nieces.His smile, the sound of his voice and the music he made will forever be missed.Please send the family condolences and share memories on this website.