Don Frederick Gross Obituary (1928 - 2008)

Born May 06, 1928, Don Frederick Gross attended William Byrd High School in Vinton, VA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Don Frederick Gross.

Graduation Year	Class of 1947
Date of Birth	May 06, 1928
Date of Passing	Jul 09, 2008
About	Don Frederick Gross, 80, of 204 Clearwater Drive, Covington, died Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at Alleghany Regional Hospital. He was the husband of Camille B. Gross. Born on May 6, 1928, in Vinton, Va., he was the son of the late Frederick Abram Gross and Nellie Baker Gross. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Jane Wood Gross, in 1995. Mr. Gross has been a resident of Alleghany County since 1969 and was owner and operator of Virginia Real Estate since 1978, where he was a real estate broker, an appraiser and a consulting forester. Prior to this, he worked for 20 years as an industrial forester, 18 years of which were with Westvaco. Furthermore, he was a member of the Association of Consulting Foresters. A member of Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church, he served as Treasurer, Finance Chairman, and on other committees, both local and on the district level. Mr. Gross was raised on a dairy farm in Roanoke County and excelled in athletics at William Byrd High School. He attended Virginia Military Institute on a football scholarship, later played football for and attended Carson Newman College, and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in biology from Roanoke College. He received a master's degree in forestry from Duke University. During the Korean War, he served his country in the United States Army. A former member of Alleghany County School Board and Alleghany Highlands School Board, he served as both Vice Chairman and Chairman during the consolidation period. For 21 years he was elected and served as Director of the Mountain Soil and Water Conservation Districts, recognized in 1991 as Outstanding Conservationalist. In addition, he was a past president of the Virginia State Association and served on the National Association of Conservation Districts' Forestry Committee. Mr. Gross was the past president of the Roanoke Hollins Livestock Market and continued to serve on the Board of Directors. He was a former member of the local advisory board for Dominion Bank and a member of the Alleghany Highlands Kiwanis Club where he was a past president. He was an avid sports fan and loved the outdoors. He truly enjoyed hunting and fly fishing with his friends. In addition to his wife, Camille B. Gross, he is survived by his children, Thomas F. Gross and wife, Kelly, of Daleville, Laura G. Wilkinson and husband, David, of Richmond, Linda Shawcross and husband, Bill, of Clemmons, N.C., Adam Beck and his wife, Maureen, of Glen Allen, and James Beck and his wife, Laura, of Montclair, N.J.; 10 grandchildren, Shannon Gross, Claire Gross, Andrew Gross, Olivia Wilkinson, Katie Shawcross, Emily Shawcross, Meghan Beck, Molly Beck, Mara Beck and Andreas Beck. A funeral service will be conducted 10 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2008, at Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Barry Throckmorton officiating. Family and friends will assemble at Mountain View Cemetery in Vinton at 12:30 p.m. for interment. Pallbearers will be Dr. Perry Campbell, Bill Wilson, Bill Jonas, Larry Schoppmeyer, John Stone, Bill Withrow, Greg Vess, and Wade Evans. Honorary pallbearers will be Warren Linkous, Mac Wilkinson, Harrison Fridley, David Minter and John Mitchell. The family will receive friends Friday evening, July 11, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Loving Funeral Home. The family suggests donations be made to fund scholarships in the name of Don F. Gross to be presented by the Alleghany Highlands Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 902, Covington, Va. 24426 and Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church, 425 West Main Street, Covington, Va. 24426.