Grover Radke

Grover Herman Radke, 88, passed away in the early morning hours of May 15, 2025. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, his peaceful presence will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Grover was born in the countryside on the outskirts of Malone, TX on October 20, 1936, to Grover Alton Radke and Adeline (Lena) Symank Radke. A proud central-Texas native, his country roots ran deep within him all his life. He graduated from Bynum High School in 1954 before beginning a 30 year career in banking. Grover spent the last 16 years of his career in accounting at AAFES, from which he retired in 2003.

He met his wife, Lillian Motes Radke, in the spring of 1973. They were wed later that fall on October 6, 1973. This October would have marked their 52nd year of joy and love-filled marriage. Grover and Lillian welcomed their son, Jon Allan Radke, in February of 1979. A lifelong Lutheran, Lillian and Grover were involved members of Hope Lutheran Church.

In his youth, Grover was an avid baseball and fast-pitch softball player. Later in life, his love for the American past-time moved away from the pitching mound and to the TV set, where he loved to watch the New York Yankees. You could often find him completing a large puzzle or crossword in the winter months. When it was warm outside, Grover enjoyed nothing more than planting and maintaining his garden and flower beds, his green beans and pickles being his most famous and adored crops.

More than anything, Grover was defined by his love for Jesus and care for his family. He comforted others with his compassion, goofy charm, and sharp wit. His life and character are best described as the embodiment of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 . . .
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, endures all things. While prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will pass away, love never ends.”

Grover is survived by his wife, Lillian, his son, Allan, his daughter-in-law, Jamie, his granddaughters, Trinity and Henley, and his brother, James. He was preceded in death by his father, Grover Sr., his mother, Lena, and son, Michael.

There will be a visitation at 12pm and a service at 1pm on Wednesday, May 21st at Midlothian Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Judes Children’s Hospital, to which Grover was a regular contributor.