Colonel Ronald Groomes

Colonel Ronald M Groomes  

Ronald Milton Groomes, son of the late Malachi and Margaret Lee Groomes was born on December 25, 1929, in Trenton, New Jersey and entered rest on March 23, 2023, at San Antonio Military Hospital.  He graduated from Trenton High School, attended Indiana University, and graduated from Rider University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. 

His Civilian Career started with the New Jersey Division of Corrections and Parole as a Corrections Officer at Trenton State Prison.  The positions he held included: Corrections Sgt, Senior Inspector, Assistant Supervisor of Cottage Life, Supervisor of Cottage Life, Assistant Superintendent at Rahway State Prison, Superintendent of Leesburg State Prison, Accreditation Manager and Affirmative Action Officer for the New Jersey Department of Corrections. The highlight of his career was serving as the First African American Superintendent of an Adult Institution in the State of New Jersey. 

His Military Career started with being drafted into the Army in August 1951 and graduating from Officer’s Candidate School (OCS) as a 2nd Lieutenant in Aug 1952. He served as a Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Company Commander, Battalion Executive Officer, Committee Director, Battalion Commander, Division G-2 Intelligence Officer, and Commanding Officer Committee Group with the retired rank of Colonel.  He was inducted into the OCS Hall of Fame at Fort Benning Georgia in 1991.  His proudest achievement was selection by the promotion board to fill General Officer vacancies.  His final MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) was Infantry General. 

Ron was a member of Bethlehem AME Church in Burlington, NJ serving as Trustee and Church Treasurer, Retired Officer’s Association, American Legion Post 182, OCS Alumni Association and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.  

In addition to his parents, Ronald is preceded in death by his wives, Yvonne P. Groomes, Frances O. Groomes and son Kirk R. Groomes. He is survived by his daughter, Tracey Groomes; grandchildren Devon Groomes, Kirk Groomes Jr. (Leidy) and Brittany Peace; four great-grandchildren; sisters Leola and Inez Groomes, and a host of step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request contributions to: The Locust Hill African Cemetery and Museum Project in Trenton NJ.  This Project is sponsored by the 6th Regiment United States Colored Troops, a nonprofit organization engaged in the restoration of the Locust Hill Cemetery, and establishing a museum to honor and preserve the black lives laid to rest there. 

Locust Hill African Cemetery and Museum Project 

Donation Link: Locust Hill African Cemetery and Museum Project - Trenton NJ

Locust Hill African Cemetery Museum 

688 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 

Trenton, NJ 08619 

Email: info@locusthillafricancemetery-museum.com 

Funeral service will be 11am Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Hughes Funeral Home, 324 Bellevue Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618. Calling hour will be 10am until the time of service. Interment will be at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown, NJ. 

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