Elmo L. Gruwell Sr. 96, died July 30, 2017 in Valencia, CA. with family.

He was born March 25, 1921 in Heyburn, Idaho to Orval Merrill Gruwell Sr. and Edith Jane Moon. He grew up in Phoenix, AZ. with his siblings: Orval Jr., Beth, Maurine, and Nadine. Elmo is the last surviving member of the family.

Upon high school graduation he served in World War II in the Navy. He married Betty Jane Wolfe July 14, 1945 in Vancouver, WA near the end of the war. He joined his parents in Blythe, CA. after the war. He farmed for a number of years and then took his talent of cutting hair further and attended Barber College and was part owner of the City Barber Shop. He was a resident of Blythe for 63 years. After leaving Blythe, he lived in Chattanooga, TN near his son, Mark. Elmo spent the past year near family in Valencia, CA.

He loved horses, dogs, fishing, hunting, desert outings, Dutch oven cooking, rodeos, playing cowboy, and was generous in entertaining his family and friends with his talents and pass times. He loved traveling in his motor home with his wife, Betty to visit family and friends along the way. Elmo was mechanically gifted and his kids thought he could fix anything.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

He is survived by his children: Andy Anderson (Maria), Elmo Gruwell Jr. (Melinda), Janelle Young (Terry), Pamela Brown (Richard), Mark Gruwell (Susan), Leanne Gruwell, and Kris Gruwell (Kathy). He is fondly remembered by his 21 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren.

Blythe services will be held Friday, August 4, 2017 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Days Saints, 700 N. Broadway, Blythe, CA. Viewing at 9 am with the funeral at 10 AM.

A Valencia, CA. memorial will be held Saturday, August 19, 2017 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel, 24915 Peachland Ave., Newhall, CA. 91321. The memorial will be held in the Relief Society Room at 2 pm.