Alan Dyer Groseclose, 83, passed away in LewisGale Hospital-Pulaski on Nov. 13, 2014, following a brief illness. The devoted husband of Betsy, Alan enjoyed a full life of dedicated service to his family, his legal clients and colleagues, his church, and his beloved hometown.
Born Jan. 11, 1931, in Pulaski, Va., Alan was the younger son of Ballard Preston Groseclose and Jane Dyer Groseclose. A graduate of Pulaski High School and Davidson College (Class of 1952), he served two years in the U.S. Army, first as a teacher of map reading, and later as a Legal Officer for Special Troops. A 1957 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, he notably passed the bar after his second year. Working for General Electric’s Employee Relations Program in Schenectady, N.Y., for a year, he and Betsy then returned to Pulaski in 1958. Establishing a partnership with the late Garnett S. Moore, Alan practiced law for 54 years, as well as serving for a time as a juvenile court judge.
A lifelong, active member of First United Methodist Church in Pulaski, he assumed many roles, including teacher, lay leader and choir member of 50 years. His commitment to the church extended beyond his local congregation. For decades, he served as a lay member of the Holston Annual Conference. Over the years, he chaired the Conference Council on Finance and Administration, as well as the Conference Board of Trustees.
Also, he was a member of the Conference Council on Ministries and the Episcopacy Committee. Additionally, Alan performed many legal tasks related to the chancellor’s work within the southwestern Virginia districts of the Holston Conference. Five times he was elected by his peers to be a delegate to the United Methodist General Conference, spanning a worldwide ministry and the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference. Considered the “go-to layman” for his expertise in legal and financial matters, Alan offered countless hours of counsel benefiting both churches and individuals alike.
Among his civic endeavors were the building campaign in the 1970s for the Hensel Eckman YMCA, the restoration of the Pulaski County Courthouse after the fire of 1989, and, most recently, the support of the Raymond F. Ratcliffe Memorial Transportation Museum, which opened in spring 2013. Content to work behind the scenes, Alan possessed a low-key, yet effective, leadership. Esteemed for his integrity and pragmatism, he eagerly embraced projects that parlayed his talents and skills into meaningful pursuits. His satisfaction derived from the fruition of accomplishment. His richly rewarding friendships were forged by close associations with like-minded citizens, many of whom were lifelong friends.
With the capacity to cultivate an array of interests, Alan was an avid reader and enthusiastic competitor. A fan of all sports, he most enjoyed playing golf and tennis. Genealogy and travel (particularly cruises) gave him great pleasure, and he reveled in the cognitive challenges of myriad games. Until the end of his life, he passionately supported the Davidson Wildcats in football and basketball, attending as many events as possible, yet appreciating the computer’s live-streaming coverage if he could not cheer them on to victory in person. An equally loyal Cavalier fan, he seldom missed a game. Whether in the stands or in his recliner, his sheer exuberance delighted his loved ones. Winning or losing, Alan analyzed and strategized with his inimitable wit and matchless logic.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 60 years, Betsy Wrenn Groseclose, of the home; his brother, William Preston Groseclose and wife Ellen Eskridge Groseclose of Eden, N.C.; and many family members and friends who mourn his passing while celebrating in gratitude his life of service and legacy of love.
“Let the work I’ve done speak for me. . . . . . .” – a Gospel hymn inspired by John 10:25
For those who desire to honor Alan’s memory, consider a donation to the Hensel Eckman YMCA, 615 Oakhurst Ave., Pulaski, VA 24301, or a charity of your choice.