Gregory Grodhaus

“Larger than life,” “Large and in charge,” “A big man with an even bigger heart”: these are ways the late Gregory Raymond Grodhaus was described by loved ones. Greg left this world to be with his Lord on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, in Lubbock, TX, where he had been receiving treatment for cancer.

Greg was born on December 5, 1947, in Houston, TX to Raymond and Frances Rouse Grodhaus and spent his childhood living in Norway and Germany, following his father in the Air Force. He spent his senior year of high school in Clovis, NM, where he received a football scholarship as a defensive end at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, TX. After his sophomore year, he was recruited by the Colorado Buffalos at CU Boulder, only to return to SMU to complete his BBA degree in finance and marketing.

His career, as his childhood travels, spanned cities and corporations across the country, from his first stint in the computer storage space working with IBM in Fort Collins, CO, to Memorex Telex in Tulsa, OK, where he met the love of his life and wife of 33 years, Leisa Burgess. Greg then became CEO of IPL Systems in Boston, MA, worked for Amdahl in San Jose, CA, and became CEO of INRANGE Technologies of Lumberton, NJ, where he took the company public. He finally retired as President and CEO from Tacit Networks, Inc. in 2006.

A family illness moved Greg back to Oklahoma, where he lived on Grand Lake and was appointed to the Grand River Dam Authority by the state governor. After the passing of his brother-in-law Brad Burgess, he and Leisa retired to Alto, NM, where Greg was involved in anything that needed his expertise and leadership, from HOAs to getting his hands dirty working alongside landscapers moving large boulders and planting trees to improve the image of his community.

While his early life was steeped in power suits and million-dollar deals that changed the computer industry, his life’s joy and purpose were fulfilled in his last 20 years, when he was an instrumental benefactor in the life of Ugandan children through Bless the Children Ministries and was a mentor to a remarkable young man, Clint, whom he and Leisa adopted later in life.

Greg loved art and was especially proud of his extensive collection of works by his dear friend, the late Norman Foster of Carmel, CA. He also loved collecting cigars and rescuing boxers. Wherever life took him, Greg was all in, taking care of those in need beyond measure.

Greg is survived by his wife, Leisa Burgess Grodhaus of Lubbock, TX; son Clinton (Lauren) Kidd of Salt Lake City, UT; nephew Michael Zachary Burgess of Springhill, TN; mothers-in-law Wanda Floyd (Fred) Rowe of Tulsa, OK and Suzie Burgess (Ray) Peveler of Snyder, TX; brother-in-law Bob (Joy) Rowe of Bartlesville, OK; sister-in-law Amy (Roger) Spring of Lake Aluma, OK; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; and most recent boxer Oscar De La Hoya.

The family would like to thank the following for their loving care: Dr. Kiran Yalamanchili of Arrington Cancer Center, Hospice of Lubbock, nurse Chloe, social worker Ashley Loveless, and Tracy and all the nurses at Tanglewood Estate, as well as Ainsley Nelson for being with them every step of the way.

A private memorial and burial were held on Friday, November 18. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Bless the Children Ministries at www.btcm.org.
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10