Larry Keith Gross

Larry Keith Gross of Tallahassee, FL passed away on May 4th, 2015 after a valiant struggle with a lengthy illness. He was born December 3rd 1944, in Quincy, Illinois to the late Harold Walter and Vera Lee Gross. He graduated from Quincy High School where he was senior class president and made first team All-State for basketball. He received a full scholarship to the University of Missouri for basketball and received his undergraduate degree in psychology from McMurray College, Jacksonville, Ill. in 1968. He was then drafted into the US Army, serving in the mental hygiene unit at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri 1968-1970. He received his Master’s degree in Student Personnel Administration from Bowling Green State University in 1972, and his Ph.D. in Counseling and Personnel Services from Purdue University in 1975.

After travelling the country, he selected Tallahassee, Florida as a place to begin his career. He did private consulting work before becoming Director of the Florida Center for Public Management where he established the Public Manager Certification Program and worked with numerous local governments. He later returned to providing private consulting services to clients in both the public and private sectors throughout the state. He had a wide range of interests, a brilliantly perceptive mind, and a unique grasp of personal and organizational psychology, all of which he used in service of others in their individual and professional development. His knowledge of sports was so great that his commentary often surpassed that of the professionals. By his own admission, Larry found true love later in life and considered those to be his happiest years. He married his best friend and soul mate, Joanna Love, on November 16th, 2008.

He is survived by his wife, Joanna Love; step son, Justin Tait (Michelle) of Hollywood, FL; sister Mary Clark (Jim) of Quincy, Ill; nephew David Clark (Tara) of Dallas, Texas. Visitation and reception will be held at Culleys MeadowWood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Rd. Tallahassee FL on Friday May 8th, 2015 from 5-7pm. A celebration of life service will be held the following day Saturday, May 9th, 2015 at 2 pm, at Culleys MeadowWood Chapel, 1737 Riggins Rd. Interment will follow at Culleys Memorial Park, at 700 Timberlane Rd. Memorial Donations in his honor can be made to the Refuge House at P.O. Box 20910, Tallahassee, FL 32316.