Alan Lee Groom

Alan Lee Groom was born March 16, 1953, to Oscar Lee Groom and Wilma Coleyne Hurley Groom in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Alan passed away on March 16, 2026, under tragic circumstances. From an early age, Alan was incredibly intelligent, curious, and creative. He had many interests and talents throughout his lifetime. As a young man, he was involved in scouting and developed a lifelong love of the outdoors, particularly camping and fishing. He was also artistic and enjoyed sketching. Later, he became known for creating beautiful origami birds and other intricate shapes, which he often attached to gifts for special occasions. For the first 12 years of his life, Alan was raised as an only child. That changed when Oscar and Wilma adopted an infant daughter. Alan was insistent that his new sister be named Janet Kay, after a female character in a book he was reading at the time. He helped care for Jan and even enjoyed taking his little sister around to meet/spend time hanging out with his friends. To Jan, Alan was part big brother and part ultra-fun parent. Two and a half years later, despite Wilma having been told she could not carry another baby, the family welcomed younger brother, Randall L. Groom. When Alan began learning to drive, he bought a used car, rebuilding its engine himself. The car became his pride and joy. His first job, he worked at Willie's TV and Video Shop before graduating from Carlsbad Senior High School with the class of 1971. Upon graduation, Alan began earning credits at the junior college. Later he moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he completed the remainder of his credits. He received his Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from New Mexico State University. His career began at White Sands Missile Range working on contracts for Lockheed. Among them was work associated with the development of Lockheed's F-117 Nighthawk, better known to many as the Stealth aircraft. He later worked as a private contractor overseas for the United States Government. Alan's career and adventurous spirit took him far beyond New Mexico. After growing up and earning his degree in New Mexico, Alan moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. While He accepted a U.S. Government contract in Saudi Arabia, where he lived for five years. He completed two five-year stints in Saudi. Living and working abroad gave Alan the opportunity to travel extensively. His jobs and adventures took him around the world. His stories included experiences as varied as bungee jumping in Sri Lanka and seeing the pyramids in Egypt. Wherever he went, Alan seemed to find something worth learning, experiencing, collecting, or remembering. He eventually returned to the mountains he loved. An avid outdoorsman, Alan enjoyed fishing, hiking, exploring, and simply getting up and going somewhere. He even joined the search for Forrest Fenn's legendary treasure chest, which was said to be hidden somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. He enjoyed making jewelry, visiting flea markets, and setting out on fishing trips whenever he had the opportunity. Alan later worked for BBU Buffalo Builders alongside his longtime friends Gordon and Diane G.W. Through his work, he met Amy M. and later her mother, Sheldon "Shelly" Wilson. Alan wholeheartedly embraced Shelly's family as his own. To her children and grandchildren, he was not simply Shelly's partner. He was "Dad," "Grandpa," or "Papa." Shelly's daughters, Amy M., Jamie K., Aunna C., and Jessica W., became his family, along with nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Alan suffered a stroke in April 2023. Alan was a man dearly loved. He was a man of a vast amount of knowledge and interests. Most of all he was a historian at heart and an avid storyteller. He preserved many of his memories in handwritten stories that accompanied the photographs, memorabilia, and other pieces he collected throughout his life. He had a remarkable way of finding family and friendship wherever his travels took him. To his children, Alan became a North Star: a constant, gentle male presence whom they deeply loved and admired. He loved his family dearly and had an incredible amount of patience when teaching, explaining, or sharing life's lessons. Alan taught himself to play guitar and later passed that gift along by teaching one of his grandson’s to play. He loved and collected music from many genres, another reflection of his wide-ranging curiosity and appreciation for the world around him. Alan was intelligent, artistic, adventurous, kind, patient, and endlessly curious. He was a brother, partner, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, teacher, storyteller, traveler, outdoorsman, engineer, and so much more. His life took him around the world, but some of the most meaningful things he left behind were much closer to home: the stories he told, the things he created with his hands, the lessons he patiently taught, and the family he chose and loved. Alan is survived by his four children; his grandchildren and great-grandchild; his sister, Jan G.; his brother, Randy G., and wife, Dana G.; as well as nieces, nephews, grandnieces, cousins, and many lifelong friends. He was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed.

Services will be announced at a later date.