In Remembrance Danny Groves, MD April 11, 1944- January 3, 2026
Dr.“ Danny” Gene Groves. Today is July 4, 2026, as I write this, a day and a dear friend to remember and celebrate forever, never to forget.
He gifted me, and the Louisville medical community, on Apr. 11, 1944, when he was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He grew up in the River City and graduated from Seneca High School as a“ RedHawk” in the class of 1962 and attended Vanderbilt University from 1962-1965. He then attended the University of Louisville School of Medicine from 1965-1969. He interned at the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, California. He practiced aerospace medicine from 1970-1971 with an Honorable Flight Surgeon rank. His majestic career continued as a Lieutenant in the U. S. Navy until 1973 at the Grand Prairie Naval Air Station in Dallas, Texas, with a remarkable career on the way. Thank you, Danny, for your service to our country.
The next stop in his career spanned from 1974 to 1980 at Baylor specializing in emergency medicine.
He engaged in general practice from 1980 to 1983 in Dallas, Texas, and married his wife, Elaine, in 1980. They casted a cohort of six children, all of extreme personal talents.
Danny was a real inspiration in his own right – basketball, track, football and golf, just for a few – growing up.
I began private practice in August 1979 with Drs. Oldham, Bryant, Katz, Hollingsworth and Rice. I met Dr. Dan in 1983 as an assistant surgeon. He was a highly skilled assistant surgeon, unmatched in my career of 37 years.
As Forrest Gump in that lovely movie referred to his platoon leader( Gary Sinise) as“ Lieutenant Dan,” I called my friend“ Dr. Dan.”
He was the best man at my wedding over two and half decades ago – he was my best friend as of the day we met in the 1980s. He was a highly skilled surgical assistant whom I always requested for every case I ever scheduled. If his time was previously booked, I would change my surgical date and time to when he was open to assist me. When Dr. Dan was across the table from me, aiding in draping my patients, for either a minor( or most times a major) case, I knew I was in good hands.
At the scrub sink, we’ d tell stories until we laughed out loud, so much that I would have tears running down my face, but not so loud that the OR staff or patient could hear us. We worked“ hand in glove” and shook hands at the end of every procedure. He was an artist at his work and knew what I needed before I asked.
I surely miss my friend, Danny, and our innate connection at work, smiles and talks in the hospital hallways. We waved in the parking lots and shared meals in the doctors’ lounge if we met at the same time.
Dr. Dan was a master at what he did – not only for me, but I am certain for every other surgeon fortunate enough to have him on the other side of the surgical table.
Since his unexpected passing early this year, I think of him as a Harvest Moon in a clear night’ s sky or the Albireo Star in the Cygnus constellation. He was a beautiful soul and a true friend lost.
As Juba said( Djimon Hounsou) to Maximus Decimus Meridius( Russell Crowe) at the end of the 2000 movie, Gladiator,“ I will see you again … but not yet … not yet!”
I only wish I’ d had the chance to tell you goodbye, Dr. Dan. Now, I have.
-James R. Jewell, MD, ULSOM class of 1975
Dr. Groves was a member of GLMS for 40 years.
26 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE