Eli
Grba
August 9, 1934 - January 14, 2019
Eli Grba, age 84, of Florence passed away Monday, January 14, 2019.Visitation will be Thursday, January 17, 6:00-9:00 P.M. at Spry-Williams Funeral Home, Florence. The funeral service is Friday, January 18, 12:00 Noon in the funeral home chapel. Interment will be at New Salem Cemetery, Limestone County. Family and Friends will serve as pallbearers.
Survivors include: Wife: Regina Lawrence Grba,
Children: Stacy Grba Draves (Rich)
Nick Grba (Stacia)
Donnie Kellum (Sandra)
Grandchildren: Devin Grba, Landon Grba, Boyd Kellum, Jesse Kellum, and Cabella Smith
Mother-in-Law: Margaret Lawrence
Sister & Brother-in-Law: Bill and Angie Castleberry
Fur Babies: Izzy & Marty
Eli was a former Major League Baseball player from South Chicago, Illinois. During his 5 year Baseball career, he pitched for the New York Yankees (1959-1960) and Los Angeles Angels (1961-1963). He was the first selection in the 1960 MLB expansion draft which made him the first Angel. He went on to travel the U.S. and Canada as a Minor League Pitching Coach and Major League Scout.
Eli served 2 years in the U.S. Army (1957-1959).
In 1993 Eli married Regina Lawrence, the love of his life. He enjoyed fishing and telling his story through his published book “Baseball’s Fallen Angel”.
A Larger than Life Personality, He Knew No Strangers!
Visitation
January 17, 2019
6:00 pm
Funeral
January 18, 2019
12:00 pm
Burial at New Salem Cemetery in Limestone County
Funeral
Spry Williams Funeral Home, Helton Drive, Florence, AL, USA
January 18, 2019 12:00 pm
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6 Comments on “Eli Grba”
I was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1990 of which Eli was my very first manager/pitching coach for the Princeton Patriots. Eli was an awesome manager and pitching coach. He was tough and never afraid to tell you what he was thinking. Eli taught me SO MUCH on pitching….truly inspiring and enhancing my career. Let it be known, his teachings went with me as I have worked with hundreds of kids since my playing days…teaching the same pitching mechanics and mental side of game which he had taught me. His legacy lives on through me and all players who were fortunate to play for him.
I am sorry for your loss….all us players are sad too….but his teachings are alive and well amongst many professional baseball players. Respectfully, Brad Hassinger, Princeton Patriots 1990 Appalachian League.
LOVED hearing the stories! It was a pleasure to be aquainted with this MLB player and Angel…baseball addict Cheri Suns
Deepest sympathy to Reggie and the entire Grba family.I will miss my former high school teammate and lifelong friend. Rest in peace Puso.
I used to own a restaurant in Florence Al. Eli loved the Chicago hot dogs and especially the polish sausage. He became a friend and I loved his stories. He knew I love Mickey and Roger and sared a lot of stories . He ha a short career as a picture but a huge one as coach and recruiter. I really am blessed for knowing him I didn’t get to see him these pass few years and missed his stories.
Deepest condolences to Regina, Nick, Stacy, and the rest of the family, from the Valadez Family. I will always cherish the memories of visiting Eli in Florence with my three brothers, all of us fishing and catching up on old times with Eli… Rest in peace, my friend.