GEORGE GROSS

GROSS, GEORGE George Gross passed away on April 27, 2010, in Fairhope, Alabama. He was born in Weilau, Romania on January 26, 1941, and came to the U.S. with his family when he was nine years old. George played college football at Auburn University where he was also the SEC heavyweight wrestling champion. George married Barbara Dunn in 1963 and was drafted by both the San Diego Chargers, of the AFL, and the St. Louis Cardinals, of the NFL that same year. He chose the West Coast and he and Barbara moved to San Diego and he played defensive tackle with the Chargers until 1968. George and Barbara raised three children in East County, San Diego. In 1987, George married his second wife, Janet, and they moved to Fairhope, Alabama, in 2000. George's magnetic personality and commanding presence drew in many friends in both San Diego and Fairhope and he will be missed by all who knew him. George is survived by his wife, Janet, his three children and their spouses, Ken Gross (Wendy), Erich Gross (Dawn), and Jennifer Gross Ely (Kevin) and five granddaughters, Willow, Samantha, Sydney, Madeleine and Katharina, and his brothers, Michael Gross (Ursala) of Alabama, and Andy Gross (Holly) of Georgia, and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of George's life will be held Saturday, May 15th, for friends and family (please contact Erich Gross at 619-928-4007 for information).