John William Groah

Born in Charleston, West (by God) Virginia, John spent most of his life in Columbus, Ohio where he was Executive Chef at The Capital Club. He spent twenty-five years in Private Club kitchens while working for ClubCorp, including in Lexington, Detroit, Cincinnati and Oldsmar, Florida. At the World Series of Golf, held every year at Firestone Country Club, he headed up a team of talented chefs from around the region to handle all the food for players, spectators, employees, and hospitality tents. As Executive Chef at The Thoroughbred Club in Lexington, Kentucky,  the movie Seabiscuit was being shot, a movie being shot and chef-ing?!? He was in heaven! Loved both old and new movies and could tell you so much about each movie and the actors in them. To hone his chef skills, it was suggested he learn more about art so, thirty-plus years ago he started painting watercolors and leaves behind a vast portfolio of stunning paintings. John could make you laugh with minimal effort and was an expert in practical jokes. Once, while at the Capital Club, a regional ClubCorp meeting was being held which called for “a little break” so, John did everything in miniature including using children’s tea set cups for coffee and had Judy, the little clown, as entertainment. There are MANY funny John-stories, most of which are not appropriate to share here!  As one former co-worker said, “John was a super-talented ‘Journeyman’ executive chef in our region. He was one of the best.” 

John is survived by his wife, Gail Pelto, of Destin, Florida; son, Max Groah and daughter, Hannah Groah of Columbus, Ohio; and sister, Beverly Kennedy of University Park, Florida, as well as many, many friends and former co-workers. He was preceded in death by his favorite four-legged cat-child, Grey Mama, whom napped with him daily at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation. In the notes, please specify that your donation is in memory of John Groah and is to be used for arts education within the MKAF ArtsReach program. To do so, please click on this link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?donation=mkafi

Wife and life-partner, Gail, extends her gratitude to the many friends and relatives of hers and John’s whom have reached out to extend their love, support, strength, and prayers. 

“He was a kind, one-of-a-kind, funny, talented, loving man and my best friend. I miss his physical presence; however, he keeps sending me messages to let me know that he is still here by my side.” -Gail