GROENDYKE, Harold C. of Enid, Oklahoma, died October 31, 1986 at the age of 78. Mr. Groendyke was born May 10, 1908 to Mr. and Mrs. Art Groendyke near Elmwood in Beaver County, Oklahoma and was reared in the Beaver area. He entered high school at Goodwell, Oklahoma, in 1922, and graduated from Beaver High School in 1927. He then attended Panhandle A & M College graduating in 1932 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Mr. Groendyke was a life member of PSU Alumni Association and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

In 1932, with one small truck and tank, he established Groendyke Transport in Beaver, Oklahoma, and moved it's operations to Enid, Oklahoma in 1938. From that one truck operation, this tenatious industry pioneer created what is now one of the largest tank-truck carriers in the Nation, comprised of 1141 employees and operating a fleet of 750 tractors and 950 trailers over some 60 million miles annually from a network of 42 terminals serving 48 states, Canada and Mexico.

Harold Groendyke's personal involvement, dynamic foresight, and ""dogged'' determination spanning fifty-four years of successful operations were some of the unique characteristics which caused him to be recognized as one of the self-made and independent giants of the trucking industry throughout the United States. Harold Groendyke was also actively involved in ranching and farming and spent much of his time on his ranch southwest of Watonga, Oklahoma, where he raised crossbred cattle, buffalo and elk. Harold Groendyke was one of the founding forces behind the Grand National Quail Hunt, held annually in Enid, Oklahoma, to promote the State Of Oklahoma, it's industry and resources.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline, of Enid, Oklahoma, his son, John Groendyke, of Enid, Oklahoma, and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Art Groendyke, and two sisters, Elsie Hibbs and Hazel Barker. Funeral services were be held on Monday, November 3, 1986, at 10:00 a.m at the Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home, 2800 Van Buren, Enid, Oklahoma.