John D. Groendyke, chairman of the board for Groendyke Transport and the only child of Groendyke founder Harold C. Groendyke, died June 13 at his home in Enid, Oklahoma. He was 81 years old.
Born Aug. 17, 1944, John grew up in Enid during the early years of his father’s company, witnessing and later assisting in its rise to one of the largest tank truck carriers in the U.S. At 13, he left for Lexington, Missouri, where he attended Wentworth Military Academy from sixth grade through junior college. He graduated in 1964 with the rank of cadet brigade commander, and then earned his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State in 1966 and juris doctor from Oklahoma in 1969.
John served in the Army from 1969 to 1971, finishing as a captain, but still made time to contribute to Groendyke’s success, playing a key role in the carrier’s first load to Mexico in 1964 and earning the title of vice president in 1966. Twenty years later, after Harold’s death at 78, John assumed the role of Groendyke CEO and chairman—then proceeded to lead the company to new heights.
John served as National Tank Truck Carriers chairman in 2001 and spent decades on the association’s board. In 2019, when he stepped down as CEO, Groendyke generated about $240 million in revenue and boasted 1,400 employees, 1,000 trucks, and 1,600 trailers servicing 49 states, Canada, and Mexico. “His commitment and accomplishments at Groendyke Transport—and in the tank truck industry—would be more than enough to keep most people busy for a lifetime, but not John Groendyke,” the company said in a news release.
“His passions varied—and some of his most beloved pastimes were playing and working in the great outdoors.”
