Obituary for Thomas Walter Gross
On Friday, August 9, 2019 Thomas Walter Gross passed away at Bronson Hospital in Battle Creek, MI at 81 years of age. Tom was surrounded by loving family and friends, as he drifted peacefully away. Tom was born in Battle Creek, MI on May 21, 1938, son of Floyd H. Gross, and Yvonne (Verbeke) Gross, and was a lifelong resident of Battle Creek.
Tom joined the US Navy at seventeen and served proudly aboard the USS The Sullivans. Later, after he returned from the Navy, he completed high school; graduating from Lakeview High School.
Tom retired from the Grand Trunk Railroad after over 40 years. His career at the Grand Trunk spanned nearly every position from dispatcher, to computer operator, to train master. He was also a proud union member, and was both the union representative and union president at various times during his career.
Tom was an avid outdoors man, enjoying all types of hunting and fishing. The many lakes of Southern Michigan were his favorite place any time of year. Tom was a lifetime NRA member, and a lifetime Democrat.
His other interests included electronics, woodworking, metal working, shooting, and computers.
Tom is survived by his sister, Diane Robertson of Kalamazoo, MI, his four children, Julie DeRushia of Battle Creek, MI, Doug Gross (Denise Gross) of Jonesborough, TN, Daniel Lee-Gross (Sarah Lee-Gross) of Battle Creek, MI, and David Gross (Lisa Gross) of Indianapolis, IN. In addition, Tom is survived by fourteen grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.
He will be missed by all who knew him for his humor, his intelligence, and his generosity.
There will be a memorial service at Fort Custer National Cemetery at 2:00 PM Thursday, August 15.
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service.
Tom joined the US Navy at seventeen and served proudly aboard the USS The Sullivans. Later, after he returned from the Navy, he completed high school; graduating from Lakeview High School.
Tom retired from the Grand Trunk Railroad after over 40 years. His career at the Grand Trunk spanned nearly every position from dispatcher, to computer operator, to train master. He was also a proud union member, and was both the union representative and union president at various times during his career.
Tom was an avid outdoors man, enjoying all types of hunting and fishing. The many lakes of Southern Michigan were his favorite place any time of year. Tom was a lifetime NRA member, and a lifetime Democrat.
His other interests included electronics, woodworking, metal working, shooting, and computers.
Tom is survived by his sister, Diane Robertson of Kalamazoo, MI, his four children, Julie DeRushia of Battle Creek, MI, Doug Gross (Denise Gross) of Jonesborough, TN, Daniel Lee-Gross (Sarah Lee-Gross) of Battle Creek, MI, and David Gross (Lisa Gross) of Indianapolis, IN. In addition, Tom is survived by fourteen grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.
He will be missed by all who knew him for his humor, his intelligence, and his generosity.
There will be a memorial service at Fort Custer National Cemetery at 2:00 PM Thursday, August 15.
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service.