Obituary for Tim Grounds Timothy William Grounds, 60, died Sunday afternoon, September 30, 2018, in a 4-wheeler accident at his hunting club on Grassy Road. He was spraying weeds, and the ATV turned over on him. He died instantly.
Tim was born to Bill and Juda Grounds in Aurora, IL, on January 31, 1958. He graduated from Johnston City High School in 1976. Since he was five years old, his passion was hunting waterfowl.
He could take a goose call and make a flock of geese sit down right in front of him. He was also an excellent shot. After modifying the Olt A-50 call for a few years, he started making his own brand.
He developed Tim Grounds Championship Goose Calls, Inc. in 1975 and created an international fan base. His name is synonymous with goose calls. He set countless records when traveling coast to coast for goose calling contests.
Tim won the World Goose Calling Championship in Easton, MD, in 1988, 1992, and 1994. His son Hunter is also a three-time World Goose Calling Champion and still holds the record for being the youngest to win the competition (at age 16). Because of the required three-win championship limit, Tim and Hunter both were retired from the World Championship competition.
However, Tim and Hunter hold the record for being the only father and son to achieve this prestigious accomplishment. Tim leaves his son, Hunter (and his love Jerica Traughber); his parents, Bill and Juda Grounds of Marion, IL; his sister Tari Kay (Grounds) Moorman (husband Bill) of Marion, IL; and his brother Drew Grounds (wife Sue Ellen) of Oak Ridge, NC . He is also survived by his uncles John H. Moore (wife Catherine) of Johnston City and James R. Moore of Johnston City; his aunts, Dorthella (Grounds) Youngblood of Herrin and Mary Louise (Grounds) Cockburn of Johnston City.
His nieces Ariane Moorman MacNevin and Breane McKay Moorman, and nephews Garrett Grounds and Tyler Blanchett (wife Alicia) were dear to him. Johnny P. Moore, Rick Moore, and Cheryl (Moore) Bernhardt (husband Dennis) were his closest cousins, but he had about 175 more, and he loved them all. Preceding Tim in death were his twin boys, Britt and Brandon Grounds, who died at birth.
Additionally preceding him in death were Tim’s grandparents, Clarence and Lillian Grounds and John S. and Iva Moore, as well as several uncles and aunts. Tim was baptized into Christ in March of 1969 at Parish Park Christian Church (now renamed Heartland Christian Church). Funeral Service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Heartland Christian Church in Marion, located at 900 East Boyton Street.
Interment will follow in Herrin City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at Heartland Christian Church in Marion Pyle Funeral Home of Johnston City is entrusted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Heartland Christian Church, Memorial envelopes will be available at the church the day of the service or at the funeral home.
For additional information or to sign the book of memories and light a candle, please visit www. pylefuneralhome.com.
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