J.K. "Red" Grotts

Carbondale - J.K. "Red" Grotts, 88, formerly of Chicago, passed away at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at Century Assisted Living, in Carbondale. Red was born June 9, 1924 in Chicago to Latheral Bertram and Helen (Koler) Grotts. He married Olga L Sojo on September 1, 1945. To this union was born a son. Survivors include his son, Kenneth (Lisa) Grotts of Makanda; two grandsons, Ryne Grotts of Marietta, GA, and Lucas Grotts of Springfield, MO.; a brother, Richard Grotts of Phoenix, AZ.; and a sister, Delores Burch of Conger Spur, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Olga on October 24, 2009, two brothers, and two sisters. After Red graduated high school, he proudly served our country as an Aviation Radioman 2nd Class in the U.S. Navy during WWII. In the 1930's he purchased his first magic trick from the back of a comic book. He soon found that this would grow into a great passion for him and continued to perform magic shows thru the 1980's. He worked at the LTV Steel Mill in Chicago as an Electrician until his retirement in June 1988. He then moved to Las Vegas for the next 20 years. After being gone for so long, he decided to move back to Carbondale to be closer to his son and his family. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring #43 in Chicago, and the St Columbus Parrish of Hegewisch Community near Chicago. According to Red's wishes, he will be cremated and there will no services. Memorial Donations are the preferred form of remembrance and may be made to Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163, and will be accepted by Meredith Funeral Home.