James A Gross

Jim was born November 13, 1949, in Duluth, MN, to Laura Anderson and Wesley Hanson. He was adopted as a young boy by his stepdad, Donald Gross.

Jim proudly enlisted with the United States Marine Corps at 17. He served as a Marine from 1966 until his Honorable Discharge in 1972. While he seldom spoke of his tour in Vietnam, he did not mind being stationed in San Diego, CA, or Honolulu, HI. He also served in the 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota National Guard from 1982 until 1987.

Jim retired from the phone company (always known as Northwestern Bell or Ma Bell in our house) in 2007 after 35 years. His raids of the office supply closet made Linda giddy. After retirement, he worked part time as a groundskeeper at Enger Golf Course, drove cars for Duluth Dodge, and assembled office furniture for Northern Business Products.

Jim married Linda Ellingson on February 27, 1973, in Bessemer, Michigan, and were married for 51 years. Jim and Linda lived together in Cloquet and Hoyt Lakes before settling back in Duluth to raise their daughters. Jim helped raised some exceptionally self-sufficient young ladies that could use power tools, fix plumbing issues, and change tires. Jim was an avid golfer, bowler, accomplished racquetball player, and fastpitch softball pitcher for years (and years). Jim helped at Marshall School in any way he could from helping coach the softball team to building the first ever bleachers for the football field. He and Linda attended as many cross-country meets, volleyball matches, basketball games, track meets, and softball games as they could, which most of them.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife and his parents. Jim is survived by his daughters Jennifer (Troy) Santelli, Kelly Scitzs (David Virginia), and Michelle Lilly (Shawn Curry); his grandchildren Brooklyn & Brynn Santelli, James (Scitzs) Gross, Jack Virginia, Wyatt & Alivia Lilly; his siblings Alaura (Cecil) Fickey, Harold Gross, and Thomas (Laura) Gross; nieces and a nephew.

A Military Service Recognition will take place at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Saginaw at 11:00 am on Friday, November 14.