Charles L. Gross Sr.

Charles Lindbergh "Charlie" Gross, Sr., 86, passed away on August 20, 2013 in Zebulon, North Carolina. A longtime resident of Millbrook, Alabama, he is survived by his wife, Barbara Evans Gross; sons, Charles L. Gross, Jr. and wife Jody of Raleigh, North Carolina and his son Benjamin N. Gross and wife Elizabeth of Millbrook. He is also survived by four grandchildren who adored him and christened him "Pop-Pop": Charles L. Gross, III; Allison P. Gross and Adam S. Gross, all of Raleigh, North Carolina and also by grandson, Hunter Gross of Millbrook. He is also survived by his brother, Ervin B. Gross of Orange Park, Florida and by his sister, Mary Gross Carr (Mamie) of Millbrook. He is preceded in death by brothers George M. Gross of Broussard, Louisiana and Paul H. Gross of Dadeville, Alabama. He was born in Marion, Alabama on June 28, 1927. Following the untimely death of his Mother, he went to live in Holtville, Alabama near "Slapout….where the stars fell" with an uncle and aunt, Robert M. "Doc" & Rolenia Thornton. Enlisting in the US Navy at a suspiciously young age, Charlie returned to Holtville following two years of naval service in 1944-46 on the USS Boxer and graduated from Holtville High School in 1947. While in Holtville High School he starred in football, basketball and baseball. He and his wife Barbara were married in June 1951 at the home of Hunter & Ruth Goree in Montgomery. They moved to Millbrook in 1953 and resided on Main Street until moving to North Carolina in October 2010. Charlie enjoyed hunting and fishing, working in his yard and on his many projects in his garage, which he proudly built himself. He was very active in youth sports in Millbrook for many years, coaching and mentoring both little league baseball and pee wee football. He often officiated high school football games on Friday nights in the 1960's and '70's and was involved in the early years of NASCAR, acting as the flag man on weekend racing nights at Montgomery International Speedway. He worked for many years at Maxwell Air Force Base, first running the base exchange service station and later moving to civil service before retiring in 1988. Following his wife's stroke in 1997, he unselfishly gave of his time, heart and soul in acting as her sole caregiver, constantly placing her well-being ahead of his own for 13 years until it simply became too much even for him, prompting their move to North Carolina so she could be cared for in his son's assisted living community. Charlie will be forever remembered by those who knew him as an unselfish, giving person who was always ready and willing to lend a hand, perhaps by fixing things in ways that only he could have imagined……he never met a stranger and could carry on a conversation with anyone about pretty much anything. The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff of Coventry House of Zebulon, North Carolina for going above and beyond in caring for Charlie and Barbara…….their dedication and professionalism is second to none and we are forever grateful for their kind and caring ways. The family will receive visitors at Leak Memory Chapel, 945 Lincoln Road in Montgomery on Friday, August 23rd from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. A memorial service will be held at Leak Memory Chapel on Saturday, August 24th at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow at Montgomery Memorial Cemetery.