[1] After graduating from Pigeon High School in 1944, DeGrow served in the United States Navy during World War II, seeing action in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater as a quartermaster third class aboard a tank landing ship.

Five years later, he became the owner and operator of the Ben Franklin store in Pigeon.

[2] DeGrow was involved in Rotary International as the local chapter president and district governor.

His first involvement in politics was being elected to the Tri-County Community College board.

DeGrow was recognized for forging compromises and developing solutions to complex problems.