Estell Grooms

Estell "Damian" Grooms, 51, departed this earth April 2, 2015, after a short, aggressive battle with cancer. The loving care of his wife allowed him to remain in his home in fulfillment of his final wishes.

Damian was born in Frankfurt, Germany on August 12, 1963. His family lived in Darmstadt, Germany while his father was in the army. After moving back to the states, Damian grew up in Roeland Park, Kansas and graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School. He graduated from Pittsburg State University and spent most of his career in Graphic Arts, before a career change took him to Fed Ex Ground.

Damian worked evenings at Fed Ex which allowed him the privilege of providing day care for his granddaughter "Darla". She had a special place in his heart and kept him on his toes. He never outgrew his love of trains. He was a collector of "N" scale models and built cities and landscapes to run his trains on. He loved traveling and camping, especially sitting around camp fires and listening to ranger talks. His last trip was in the Fall of 2014 to Yellowstone National Park with his stepfather John.

Damian's dry sense of humor was with us until the very end and will long be remembered.

He was preceded in death by his father Estell Dennis, and aunts Barbara Bonjean, Janet Strub and Caroleen Violet.

Damian is survived by his wife of 20 years, Coleen, of the home, three stepchildren, Larry Salisbury (Shanna) and Gage, Breez, Enalyse, and Abagail; Chad Salisbury (Jessica) and children William and Elizabeth; and Amanda Noel and her daughter Darla. His mother M. Elaine Grooms Bull and stepfather John Bull of Olathe, his brother K. Kylle Grooms of Olathe, sisters Decima L. Sever of Scottsdale, AZ, and M. Larissa (Lars) Filipsen of Overland Park, and nieces and nephews also survive him.

Memorials may be given to the family or to St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Olathe, KS.