David Michael Gross

After a six-month course of advanced lung cancer, David M. Gross lived fully until his death the morning of January 3, 2016. Dave was surrounded by his daughters, Kimberly and Melanie; his mother, Anita; siblings, Mary Beth, Jenni, Joel; nieces and nephews; and extended family including one of his many cousins, Jill Hayhurst, at home with the help of hospice care.
Born January 18, 1963, Dave grew up with large extended family in Northwest IN. He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Gross.

Dave had a varied 20-year career in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer; then upon retiring, as a civilian environmental inspector. In 1985, David married Petra Theiss and later had two wonderful and beautiful daughters, Kimberly (Norbert Rehla) and Melanie. David's Army career took him to Germany and to various bases in the States before returning to Fort Riley, Kansas.
Dave always had an uncanny talent for seeing potential in discarded wood piles that added to his unique skills in carpentry and remodeling. He saw the potential in every person with non-judgment, respect and compassion especially for the lonely, hurting, homeless, and veterans in his community.

Dave will be most missed for his humor and sharp wit, even in the face of his health challenges. He charmed the cancer community asking if he could save his lung biopsy tissue to put in his baby book and "graduating with honors" from radiation walking out with his hair not falling out till later. Since he was "only along for the ride", he gave all details to "his staff", deeply devoted sister, Jen and family, along with daughters, Kimi and Meli.
Dave is remembered for his love of any kind of pancakes, cheesecake and leftover Aurilio's pizza. Like in life, whenever offered choice, it was "all of the above."

His Funeral Mass will be held on January 9, 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church in Schererville, IN followed by a 12:30 p.m. Celebration of Life for Dave at Patrician Hall with a 2 PM toasting with Aurilio's pizza. A military burial will be held Monday, January 11 at 2 PM at Veterans' Cemetery at Fort Riley, Kansas with a gathering of family and friends at VFW Post 8773 (1215 South Washington Street, Junction City, KS 66441)
If you plan to attend any of the celebration events, you are invited to wear black for loss accented with a bright color to remember the GOOD Dave always saw in life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Open Door, a homeless shelter for youth and vets and a United Way of Kansas affiliate (136 West Third Street, Junction City, KS 66441) or your local shelter for the homeless.