James Jim E. Gross

James E. "Jim" Gross of Georgetown, Texas, died on August 3, 2014 in Round Rock, Texas. He was 83. Jim was born on September 18, 1930 in Pharr, Texas, the eldest child of James Francis "Frank" Gross and Allie Weddle Gross. Some of his friends may have heard what his children refer to as the "Abe Lincoln" stories of his childhood.

Jim earned a B.S. in engineering in 1953 at A & I University in Kingsville, where he also met the beautiful Marsha Hays, whom he would later marry. He did say that he first had to chase off "the hunks." They settled in Waco where Jim joined Lone Star Gas Company, where he worked for 40 years, retiring in 1993. He soon demonstrated his gift for management -- which his friends and family will testify that he liked very much -- and served as superintendent and district and regional manager in Waco, Dallas, Houston, and Round Rock. He served as board member, chairman, and president of numerous gas industry organizations and presented papers at conferences and meetings, several of which appeared as articles in industry magazines.

Jim was a Freemason and a Shriner, and in his younger days he had been known to wear a fez. However, it was after his move to Georgetown in 1991 that he became involved in the social and volunteer activities that he found most fulfilling. He served as president of the Georgetown Industrial Foundation and as sergeant-at-arms for many years at Rotary. He volunteered at Georgetown Hospital, often escorting new mothers and babies to their cars at discharge, and no doubt giving them grandfatherly advice. His greatest pride, however, was volunteering at the WILCO sheriff's department in their homeland security and then victim's assistance program. While doing all of these activities, he did this all while caring for Marsha through many years of her debilitating illness. A well-known citizen of Georgetown, Jim was often compelled to express his many opinions. He considered his friends here some of the best that he had ever had, and he treasured the relationships that he had made.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Marsha. He is survived by his sister, Beatrice Gross Whitlock of San Marcos; brother, John Wesley Gross of Oklahoma; daughter, Jennifer Ann Gross of Dallas; son, James Marshall Gross and daughter-in-law Bette Gross of Carrollton; his granddaughter, Amanda Lily Gross of Dallas; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Of his many friends that gave him so much support, his family wishes to especially thank Shelly and Rick de la Vega, Barbara Szendrey, Al Kircher, and Bruce Barton for their unwavering support during Jim's illnesses.

Friends are invited to join the family for a time of visitation Wednesday, August 6, 2014 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home in Georgetown, Texas. Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 7, 2014 at First United Methodist Church in Georgetown with Reverend Yvonne Coon officiating. Interment at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas will be Friday, August 8, 2014 at 2:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, mourners may wish to send contributions to CUREPSP at www.psp.org.

Arrangements under the direction of Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78628 (512)863-2564.