Paul Gross

Paul E. Gross, 92, of Kansas City, passed away Saturday, February 29, 2020.  Funeral services will be at 11:00am on Saturday, March 7, at Terrace Park Funeral Home, with visitation from 10:00-11:00am.  Burial with full military honors will follow at Terrace Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions are suggested to McMurry United Methodist Church or to Kansas City Hospice.

Paul was born on December 6, 1927 near Warsaw, Indiana, to Earl and Katie Pearl (Ropp) Gross.  He grew up with one sister and five brothers on a farm and was a graduate of Leesburg High School.  After graduation, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on July 3, 1946.  He served in occupied Japan before his honorable discharge on July 5, 1949.  Following his wartime service, Paul moved to Kansas City and began working for General Motors from which he retired after 36 years of service.

Paul married Shirley M. Brown on September 7, 1952 at the Jacoby Chapel near Warrensburg, Missouri.  He was an avid outdoorsman who especially loved fishing and camping, as well as woodworking, building, and repairing anything that needed it.  Paul, a member of the UAW since 1950, was active in both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and was a McMurry United Methodist Church member.  After his retirement, he and Shirley made traveling their new “full time job”; they visited all 50 states, all Canadian Provinces, and over 35 countries together.

Paul was preceded in death by his son, Russell Gross, one sister, and four brothers.  He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of 67 years; his daughter, Robin Gross and her husband, Marvin Boone; his daughter-in-law, Debbie Gross; his brother, Lawrence Gross and wife, Athalia; two grandchildren, Nathan Gross and Katie Heier; and five great grandchildren, which includes Mason.  He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.