Roll Call Tribute

Published in The (Nacogdoches) Daily Sentinel from Nov. 16 to Nov. 30, 2016

Jarrell Craven Grout
There's a new tenor in the Heavenly Choir! On November 12, 2016, Jarrell Craven Grout went home to life everlasting with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his loved ones who have gone before. Jarrell is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Vonna Grout Eason. Surviving Jarrell are his much loved family members: wife, Helen Hightower Grout; daughters, Joya Grout Soell of Bailey, Colorado, Julie Cassity Buchta and husband Brian of Kingwood, Texas, Amy Grout Muldoon and husband Dean of Minneapolis, Minnesota; son, Danny Cassity of Lufkin, Texas; grandchildren, Sean Muldoon of Minneapolis, Sam Soell of Bailey, David and Lauren Cassity of Lufkin, and Erin and Logan Buchta of Kingwood. Also surviving are Jarrell's sister-in-law, Susan Hightower Perez and husband Chris of Porter, Texas; brothers-in-law, Allen Hightower and wife Debbie of Huntsville, Texas, and Richard Hightower of Houston, Texas; numerous nephews and nieces. Jarrell was born in Wellington, Texas, on July 20, 1940, to Selby Dale Grout and Luthera "Pete" Craven Grout. The family moved to Amarillo where Jarrell was educated in the public schools, graduating fro m Amarillo High School in 1958. He received his BS from West Texas State and his MCS and PhD from Texas A&M University. Jarrell had a strong work ethic. He entered the work force at the age of nine as a newspaper carrier and always held a job until his retirement. After obtaining his BS, he worked for the United States Bureau of Mines in the branch of Automative Data Processing, Helium Division. While at Texas A&M, Jarrell was a graduate research assistant and an instructor of Computer Science. In 1972 he moved to Nacogdoches, Texas, to become Department Head of Computer Science at Stephen F. Austin State University, a position he held for seven years. For the remainder of his career he was a Professor of Computer Science until his retirement in 2003. While at SFASU, Jarrell authored two college textbooks and numerous scholarly publications. In 2000, he received the College of Business Service Award. Jarrell served one term as International President of the Honor Society for the Computing Sciences, Upsilon Pi Epsilon, and sponsored the chapter at SFASU. Jarrell's hobbies were golf, reading, writing, and singing. "Back in the day," he was an avid bowler, rolling several perfect games. In 1976 Jarrell and Helen married and combined their families. Highlights of their forty years together include helping raise and educate four children and supporting their interests and activities, welcoming grandchildren into the family, being baptized in the Jordan River and praying in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, and collaborating on writing Christian music. Jarrell was a good provider and protector for his family and showed his love for them in many ways. His grandchildren enjoyed playing games and sports and being silly with him; he was a fun-loving Paw Paw. Jarrell was a member of First United Methodist Church where he faithfully served God until he developed dementia. He served on the Administrative Board/Church Council and as a substitute Sunday School teacher. He was extremely active in the music ministry, singing with the Chancel Choir, the Praise Team, as well as in a men's quartet, a mixed quartet, and as a soloist. For many years Jarrell and Helen were music leaders in their Sunday School class. In 2009 they were blessed to produce a Praise CD of songs which they wrote and which were performed by musicians at FUMC. Jarrell was a man of prayer, a faithful prayer warrior for his family, church, friends and colleagues, and his nation. He had a deep love of the Holy Scriptures and quoted from them prolifically. His favorite Bible passage, Zephaniah 3:17, expresses Jarrell's faith in God and his love of music: "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." (NIV, 1984). Jarrell's family deeply appreciates the compassionate care provided by the staffs of Rock Haven Nursing Home, Oak Manor Nursing Home, and Accolade Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to: First Methodist Church 201 E. Hospital Street Nacogdoches, TX 75961; Scholarships for SFASU Computer Science Department PO Box 13063 SFA Station Nacogdoches, TX 75962; Accolade Hospice 2708 University Drive #100 Nacogdoches, TX 75965; or Nacogdoches Treatment Center 119 Hughes Street Nacogdoches, TX 75961. Jarrell's Memorial Service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Nacogdoches, Texas, on December 3, 2016 at 10 AM. Officiating will be Reverend Rick Anderson, Reverend Terry Smith, and Reverend Brian Tyre.




Funeral Home
LAIRD FUNERAL HOME, INC
2116 SOUTH STREET Nacogdoches, TX 75964-6126
(936) 569-1366