It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Coltrane Kane Groves, Lee, Jong Won, on May 16, 2023, at the age of 25. He was a beloved son, grandson, cousin, friend, and physician in training. Coltrane was born in Pohang, South Korea and grew up in Big Rapids, Michigan before beginning his undergraduate and medical education in Ann Arbor and Detroit.

As an honors student at Big Rapids High School, Cole's passion for learning and science led him to pursue college courses throughout his junior and senior years. Fascinated by the intersection of physiology and philosophy, he earned Bachelor of Science degrees at the University of Michigan in Neuroscience and Philosophy. Cole was not only an academic and aspiring physician, but he was also a researcher and contributed to groundbreaking studies on the neuroscience of addiction. Cole was in his third year of medical school at Wayne State University with aspirations of becoming a practicing neurologist. He was fascinated by the world around him. His deep knowledge of scientific and social issues led to many extended conversations that would leave you having learned something new by the end of it. This is not just a loss to Cole's family and friends, but the world also lost someone who would have been a star clinician who would have saved countless other lives.

In addition to being an excellent student, Cole took to music just as his father did and was a fine percussionist, both at BRHS and at University of Michigan as a member of The University Band, U of M's most advanced band for non-majors. He was an accomplished timpanist and mallet player. As a Korean adoptee, Cole was very interested in Korean culture and studied the Korean language for two years while at U of M. Outside of the classroom, Cole surprised his family when he joined the ballroom dancing team, which was a favorite hobby. In addition to his many talents, Cole was a servant leader; he made time to work with many charitable organizations, including Hospice of Michigan and The Huron Valley Habitat for Humanity, a club for which he served as president in 2020. He was also an avid video gamer and enjoyed playing them with a group of good friends. He was kind and compassionate, with an amazing sense of humor that never failed to make his mom laugh. He will be profoundly missed.

Cole loved deeply and was deeply loved. He will be lovingly remembered by his parents, Randy Groves and Lynette Vought; his aunts and uncles, Kevin and Terry Groves, Laurie and Lil Goff, Diane and Wayne Witte, David and Diana Vought and Stephen and Virginia Vought; his cousins, Taylor and Keenan Noyes, Alex and Carly Groves, Nick Groves and Jill Johnson Groves, Ben Groves, David and Susana Goff, Jason Goff, Rob Goff, Rob and Johanna Kleeman, Andy Kleeman, Erin and Dennis Dietrich, Kim Witte, Becky and Jim Wonch, Amber and Steve Taylor, Jamie Vought, Stephanie Vought, and Corey Vought; his cats Nala and V; as well as many friends from Michigan and beyond.

A celebration of life service will be held June 11 at The Blue Cow in Big Rapids, from 11am to 1pm, and a vigil in his honor will be held by Wayne State University on May 31, 2023, at the Wayne State University School of Medicine at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial donations in Cole's honor to Hospice of Michigan. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.