- Date Of Birth: October 12, 1937
- Date Of Death: March 2, 2022
- State: Indiana
Larry E. Gross, 84, of rural LaOtto, unexpectedly went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne.
He was born in Allen County, on October 12, 1937, to the late Ernest and Mildred (Owen) Gross. He spent his formative years helping on the family farm-being one of eight children! He attended Eel River Perry School all 12 grades of school and graduated from Huntertown High School in 1957.
After graduation he worked with his brothers Max and Luther in the construction trade, with many contractors building residential homes.
He then enlisted in the U. S. Air Force in April of 1958 and completed his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He was assigned to Jet Mechanic School, as a fuel system technician for B-52 Bombers. After completion of school, he was advised no opportunities were available for that field and he changed to Aerial Photography until completion of his service in May of 1962.
During his time in the Air Force, he was married to Patricia Elaine Bailey, daughter of Ross and Mary of Columbia City (at that time), on November 25, 1961, and recently celebrated 60 years of marriage.
After his military service he returned to his love on the farm. In addition to his time farming, he worked at General Electric, Fort Wayne, as a sheet metal maintenance technician. He retired from G.E. on January 1, 2000, after 35 1/2 years of service.
He became a born-again Christian in 1975 and was very active in church activities. He was on the Board for the Noble County Pork Producers for many years. He coached Little League Baseball at the LaOtto Community Park. He celebrated many seasons of near perfect records. He was also an avid I. U. Basketball fan.
Those that continue on are his wife of 60 years, Patricia Gross; his children, Cara (Curt) Skidgel and Gavin (Tina) Gross; his brothers, Owen (Vera) Gross, Luther (Becky) Gross and Roger (Susie) Gross; his sister, Elaine (Rowland) Gilbert; his sister-in-law, Marilyn Gross; his grandchildren, Tori and Tayla Skidgel, Jaron (Katara) Gross, Danika Gross, Jordan & Cody Camp, Alexis Spiess and Dustin Smith; his great-grandchildren, Tesilee, Avery, Rhilynn, Aaliyah, Breyson, Carsynn and Delylah; plus many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Ross, Max and Alton Gross; a granddaughter, Marissa Gross.
