Everett “E.J.” Gronda, age 79, went to be with his Lord and Savior on August 24, 2022.
He was born December 19, 1942, to Floyd and Vivian (Hill) Gronda in Saginaw. He attended Saginaw High and went on to graduate from Central Michigan University with a teaching degree. He taught drafting, wood shop, and metal shop at Weber Junior High for 31 years. He was married to the former Lynn Mills for 28 years until her death in 1995. E.J. married Linda Johnson on August 9, 1997.
In his younger days, E.J. was an avid baseball player playing for the City Baseball Federation in Saginaw among other leagues. He loved music and played in several bands including E.J. and the Echoes and the Medallions. He started flying radio-controlled airplanes as a boy with his dad and continued to be involved with the Gladwin Area R/C Club until recent years.
E.J. was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Gladwin where he had served as a deacon and worship leader. He also enjoyed singing in the choir and performing special music.
E.J. is survived by his wife Linda of 25 years; stepchildren Brian (Amanda) Johnson, Jessica Johnson, and Melissa (Scott) Hughey; grandchildren Kyle, Sophie, and Kara Johnson, Travis, Jacob, and Brett Hughey; nephews Craig (Debbie) Gronda, Jeff (Jaime) Gronda; brother-in-law Lee Mills.
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Carolyn “Lynn” Gronda; children, Kelly Gronda and Augusta “Gussie” DeFer; brother and sister-in-law Charles and Jean Gronda.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 29, 2022, at Emmanuel Baptist Church at 11 am. E.J. will lie in state from 10 am until the time of service on Monday. A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 28, 2022, from 2 pm until 8 pm at Lee-Ramsay Funeral Home-Gladwin Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mission Aviation Fellowship for plane maintenance, www.maf.org.
