"Jim" Gruber was born in Hershey, PA on July 3, 1939, to Irvin J. and Erla (Balsbaugh) Gruber. After earning his Eagle Scout and graduating from Hershey High he attended the U.S. Naval Academy and Lebanon Valley College for his B.S., before obtaining his M.S. from the University of Kansas. He married Norma Jean Craig on June 19, 1965, and remained a devoted husband to her for the next 58 years. He then taught college courses at Ft. Hays State College and Kansas State University before obtaining his Doctoral degree from Oklahoma State University. Dad was then a Professor of Physics and Astronomy for almost 50 years, teaching at Oklahoma State University, Harrisburg Area Community College (PA), and Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK. He loved music, playing the trumpet, piano, and singing. In his younger days Dad had his private pilot's license and an airplane, and he enjoyed flying. He was an avid jogger and loved sports, especially his beloved Hershey Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, and OSU Cowboys. Dad also enjoyed deer hunting with his sons and grandsons. He was a longtime member of Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church in Harrisburg, PA, where he enjoyed singing in the choir, and Eldon Baptist Church in Cherokee County, OK.

Dad was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his wife Norma Gruber of Tahlequah, OK, his older brother John B. Gruber of Escondido, CA, his sons James Craig Gruber of Menifee, CA, Sidney Ray Gruber of Holdenville, OK, and Steven John Gruber of Tahlequah, OK, and eight grandsons and one granddaughter.

A memorial service were held on Friday, October 20, at 4:00 at Eldon Baptist Church, just east of Tahlequah, OK on Highway 51.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Eldon Baptist Church or Feed My Sheep Tahlequah.