Jack Robert Dietrich
Jack Robert Dietrich, 92, of Anna Maria, died Aug. 1.
He was born in Columbia City, Indiana, Jan. 5, 1930, to Maxine and Robert.
As a young child, he enjoyed being on his grandparents’ farm. He attended Pasadena City College and, in 1951, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He completed Officer Candidate School and became a fighter pilot, flying T33s and F86 Sabre fighter jets, but the Korean Conflict ended before he was to go overseas.
He served at Tyndall AFB in Panama City, where he met and married the love of his life, Betty Robbins. He also was stationed at Moody AFB. After his military service, he enrolled in Grace Bible College to complete his degree in education.
After a few snowy winters, Betty, a Floridian, decided it was time to go back south and settle in her family beach home on Anna Maria Island. Mr. Dietrich resumed his teaching career while working on his master’s in administration while working at Bayshore Elementary. He then became principal at Duette School, Parrish, Anna Maria, Ballard and retired in 1994 from Moody Elementary. He mentored many teachers and was well-loved by many.
The family enjoyed sailing and had many happy times on the water and on the beachfront. He adored his family and was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He shared a special relationship with every one of them.
Mr. Dietrich had many talents and interests. He served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at the Island Baptist Church, Gideon, member and president of the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island and member of the Bradenton Yacht Club. He was an avid runner and competed in the New York Marathon at age 56. He loved music, playing the piano, drums and the spoons. You could often hear him singing, tapping his hands and feet on the porch where family and friends gathered, visited and watched sports.
He never met a stranger and made friends both young and old. He was generous, kind, happy and loving. He lived every day with positivity and made an impact on every life he touched. His strong faith and belief in God prepared him for his journey home.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Casual attire is recommended.
Memorial donations may be made to the Anna Maria Island Historical Society, P.O. Box 4315, Anna Maria, FL 34216; Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch, 6409 16th Ave. Drive W., Bradenton, FL 34209 or at Islandturtlewatch.com; or Tidewell Hospice, 6310 Capital Drive, Suite 100, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 or tidewellfoundation.org.
He is survived by his children, Beth Conner and husband Art, Jan Smith and Greg; grandchildren Mary Elizabeth Williams, Jessica Williams, Adam Smith and partner Shannon, Amy Smith and partner Leslie and Sarah; and great-grandchildren Joliet Smith and Lincoln Young.
Faye Grooms
Faye Grooms died July 23.
She was born a farmgirl March 14, 1930, in Blue Creek, Ohio, to Coleman and Loretta Mae Copas in a town near the Ohio River.
She married Rodney and moved to Florida to find paradise after his service in the U.S. Air Force. They set their sights on Anna Maria Island, where they settled in 1967. They owned several successful automotive businesses on the island and in Bradenton until 1998, when they decided to retire. One of those businesses, Grooms Motors, is thriving today under family ownership.
After Rodney’s death in 2000, Mrs. Grooms decided to get back to work and was employed at the Red Barn Flea Market until 2021. She woke up every day ready to work and live life — and she did so in style. Up until two weeks before her passing, she was enjoying tacos, margaritas, sangria and Duffy burgers with an ice-cold beer.
A celebration of life will be 6-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, at Duffy’s Tavern in Holmes Beach.
Mrs. Grooms is survived by sons Barry and wife Sherry of Bradenton, and Mark and wife Pam of Blue Creek, Ohio; grandchildren Bailey and Shannon and husband Michael Cooley of Bradenton, Collin, serving the U.S. Air Force in Oklahoma City, and Heather Pollitt and Dustin Williams both of Blue Creek, Ohio; and great-grandchildren Savannah and Sophia Cooley of Bradenton. Also surviving are sisters Rose Wells of Binghamton, New York, and Patsy Dolan of West Union, Ohio, and many nephews, nieces and friends.