LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas is mourning the death of a Jonesboro native who blazed a trail in the sports world.
Dr. Grover M. Evans “Groovy Grover”, 65, of Little Rock, formerly of Jonesboro, died Sunday.
According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, “in Barcelona, Spain, in 1992, Evans became the first African American to swim on the U.S. Paralympic Team. He participated in several more Paralympics—as an alternate for the 1996 games in Atlanta, Georgia, and team member for the 2004 games in Athens, Greece, and the 2008 games in Beijing, China. He set five world records, one Paralympics record in Barcelona, sixty-one American records, and eight Pan-American records. He also won sixty-nine National Championships. In 1997, he was inducted into the Arkansas Swimming Hall of Fame.” He was also a member of the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame.
Evans was also known for political endeavors and motivational speaking. He was the first African American born at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro (March 6, 1952).
After retiring, he served as head swim coach at Parkview Magnet High School in Little Rock.
Funeral service will be Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Little Rock. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. in Oaklawn Cemetery in Jonesboro.
First visitation with a Rosary will be Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017 from 7-9 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. Second visitation will be Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017 from 3-4 p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home (Jonesboro).
Click here for Evans’ full biographical details on the Encyclopedia of Arkansas website.
Click here for Evans’ full online obituary and guestbook.
