Leonard Alexander “Alex” Groeneveld
November 13, 1980 – April 23, 2026
Leonard Alexander “Alex” Groeneveld, 45, of Camilla, Georgia, passed away at his home on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Cairo, Georgia, with Rev. Chris Allen officiating. The family will receive friends at the First Baptist Church immediately following the service.
Alex was born on November 13, 1980, in Tallahassee, Florida, to Victoria Zieres Pharis and Lenny Groeneveld. On November 28, 2009, he married Jamie Turner Groeneveld. Together they shared over 16 years of marriage and were blessed with three children.
From a young age, Alex had a passion for tennis. His talent and dedication earned him numerous awards and a reputation as one of the top players in the state. During his high school years, he was a member of the Cairo High School Syrupmaker Band drum line and also enjoyed playing soccer. Alex earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Math and Science from Thomas University and later pursued a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He dedicated several years to education, teaching at Thomas County Central Middle School, Washington Middle School, and Pelham High School, where he also coached tennis and soccer.
Most recently, Alex was employed with Stanaland and Son in Pelham, Georgia. In his spare time, he cherished being with his wife and children and could often be found enjoying time on the water at Lake Blackshear.
He is survived by his wife, Jamie Turner Groeneveld, and their children, Wyatt, James, and Ellee of Camilla, Georgia; his son, Everett Groeneveld of Whigham, Georgia; his parents, Victoria Z. Pharis and Dr. Thomas Pharis of Thomasville, Georgia, and Lenny Groeneveld (Myrta) of Massachusetts; his brothers, Timothy Pharis (Marion) of Flag Pond, Tennessee, and Christopher Pharis (Laura) of Norfolk, Virginia; his sisters, Amelia Pharis of Thomasville, Georgia and Jamaica Groeneveld of Owings, Maryland; his father- and mother-in-law, Terry and Jenny Turner of Cairo, Georgia; his brother-in-law, Lucas Turner (Jennifer) of Cairo, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Audre and Bus Zieres and Len and Elinor Groeneveld, and a special aunt, Wyolene Pharis Fain.
Memorials may be made in Alex’s memory to: First Option Care Cairo, 930 4th Street SE, Cairo, GA 39828; or American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116. (https://diabetes.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/Honor-Memorial-Donaton-Form_8-22.pdf)
