Keiko Nagaoka Groves

Keiko Nagaoka Groves, 87, passed away with her family by her side, Sunday, May 19, 2019 at the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.

Keiko was born September 27, 1931 in Tokyo, Japan, a daughter of the late Shohai Nagaoka (father) and Hatsu Nagaoka (mother).

One of Keiko’s greatest accomplishment was raising her 7 children.  She was a loving wife, mother, role model and mentor to many.  She was a strong and gentle woman living her truth in “Buddhism.”  Her family was always her first priority.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Fred Groves Sr., and a brother, Kenichi Nagaoka.  She was known in later years as “Oba”, short for Obachan (grandmother in Japanese). She often said how lucky she was to have such a wonderful loving family, but “We were the lucky ones!”

Survivors include; 3 sisters, Kazuko Iwata, Eiko Evans and Kaoru Miyacawa.  5 sons;  Jimmy Groves and his wife Gay of Reno, NV, Fred Groves Jr. and his wife Mary of Nashville, TN, Tommy Groves and his wife Tina of Reno, NV, Scott Groves of Reno, NV and Kenneth Groves of Orlando, FL. 2 daughters; Linda Michalak and her husband James of Tampa, FL, JoAnn Jeffries and her husband Ed of Fort Walton Beach, FL; 9 grandsons, 7 granddaughters, 5 great grandsons and 8 great granddaughters as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday June 22, 2019 at 10:30 AM in the chapel of Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 161 Racetrack Road N.W., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547. (850)864-3361.  It will be a Sokagakai International-USA, conducted by Wayne Yo-ag, Area Leader.  The family will receive friends immediately after at Sealand Restaurant, 47 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.

Messages of condolences may be placed and viewed at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com

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