Richard Lee Grope

Richard Lee Grope, 71, of Austintown, passed away on Sunday, December 1st, at his home, surrounded by his family. 

Born November 14, 1953 in Youngstown, Ohio, Richard was the son of John and Alverda (Donahue) Grope. 

Richard was a 1972 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School. Rick played Little League baseball and was an avid player. After high school Rick went to work at Wean United while continuing his baseball dreams. Rick was a good pitcher and was recruited by the Texas Rangers for a tryout. Unfortunately, a tragic work accident happened and Rick lost his leg before he could participate in the tryout. The loss of his leg, motivated him to learn all he could about prosthetics. He continued his education and majored in Prosthetics in Memphis Tennessee, Indiana University, and YSU. He was the owner and founder of Western Reserve Orthotics and Prosthetics, where he was a Certified Orthotist Prosthetist and was known by his patients and throughout the area as an expert in his field. He loved taking care of his patients and they loved his compassionate and caring treatment. 

Rick was a spiritual man and was a member of Grace Church of Nazarene. He loved being surrounded by family and friends. No holiday was too small not to have everyone over. Some of his favorite times were spent with the guys he knew and loved from the Class of 72. 

Rick had varied interests. baseball was his passion but music was a close second. He loved Joe Bonamassa and saw him live many times. Rick loved working with wood and made many pieces of raw edge furniture that adorned his and many other homes. Other, interests were Nascar and he attended many of the Nascar Racing Events. Hawaii was the favored vacation spot but was always to be shared with friends and family. 

He is survived by his wife Kimberly Grope; his daughters Angela (Joe) Melia and Season (Chris) Kramer; his grandchildren Brenna Melia, Brayden Melia, and Brylee Melia, and Kayla White, Zachary White, and Stephanie (Wyatt) Strickland; his siblings Robert (Phyllis) Grope and Connie Coriston; and his great grandchildren Leilani, Harrison, Jonathan, and Matthew. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, James “Butch,” Dennis “Porky,” and David. 

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, December 9th, from 11:00 AM 12:00 PM, at Youngstown Grace Church, 5253 W Webb Road, Austintown, Ohio. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM at the church. 

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Patriot Hospice for their support and compassionate care through this difficult time. To share thoughts of sympathy, visit lanefuneralhomes.com.