Donald E. Gross

Don E. Gross was called to glory on May 22, 2024. Don was born on March 25, 1934, in Jeanette, Pennsylvania. As a young man, Don joined the Salvation Army and was commissioned as an officer in 1954 having attended the School for Officer Training in the 1953/54 “Shepherds” class. In 1957, he married one of his classmates, Dorothea Joanne Shaffstall and together, they served as officers in Plymouth, Pittsfield, and Quincy, Massachusetts and in Montclair, New Jersey.

While in Plymouth, Lt. Gross oversaw the relocation of the church building to a prominent site overlooking the harbor as the local program grew under his leadership. Transferred to Pittsfield, he then led a successful capital campaign that resulted in the construction of a state-of-the-art chapel and multi-purpose corps building which included classrooms, a full-size gym, and a kitchen. This facility became the basis for his and Joanne’s establishment of a robust youth program that included after school activities and provided meals for those with food insecurity. Don had an abiding commitment to those who were less fortunate, holding true to his calling to serve as a shepherd. After 22 years as an officer, achieving the rank of major, Don resigned his commission but continued to serve as an employee for the Salvation Army in Morristown, New Jersey.

Don was father to five daughters: Dawn, Denise, Debbie, Dianna, and Darlene. He sometimes sought sympathy for his status as the only male in a household of females, exclaiming, “Even the dog is female!” Don was, however, the proudest of fathers making sure that people knew that these were his five daughters. Every Easter and Mother’s Day the home refrigerator had a corsage for each member of his family to wear to church.

From the time he was in high school and was a member of the photography club, Don had a passion for capturing special moments in photos and super-8 videos. He loved decorating and was skilled at adding just the right touches to turn house into home. Given the number of homes the family lived in through multiple transfers, this priority made quite a difference in the lives of his daughters.

A quiet man with a playful spirit. Don loved being with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and, of course, the family’s many dogs. Family mattered greatly to Don. Don especially loved the Christmas season, decorating the house, trimming the freshly bought tree, and overflowing the room with brightly wrapped gifts so that every Christmas morning was magical. Each of his daughters carry him with them and will most especially remember him at Christmas.

In addition to his five daughters, Don had three sons-in-law, Alan (Denise), George (Debbie), and Frank (Darlene), two daughters-in-law, Emily Jane (Dawn) and Beth (Dianna) as well as 12 grandchildren: Rachel, Sarah, Adam, Jennifer, Christina, Katie, Kevin, Rebecca, Erika, Nicole, Lauren, and Frankie. He also had 12 great-grandchildren. Don will be deeply missed by his family and by those whose lives he touched.