Jan Thomas Gross

Tom Gross, 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 20, 2024 in Clearfield, Utah after an extended fight with heart problems and neuropathy from Agent Orange exposure.

Tom was born July 24, 1937, in Mansfield, Ohio to Herman Michael Gross and Kathryn Kearns Gross. He attended school in Mansfield, graduating in 1955. Entering the United States Navy after graduation, he served as a Radioman on numerous ships, including 3 tours in Vietnam, over a 22-year career retiring as a Chief Petty Officer in 1977. Tom was rightfully proud of his military service. Tom married his sweetheart JoAnne Baumberger October 5th, 1958 in Ontario, Ohio and were together for 58 years, until she passed away in January 2017. They have 3 children, two daughters and a son.

Tom’s love of traveling and always being on the go, led him to his new career as a long-haul truck driver over the next 30 years. Eventually settling in Utah from Elk Park, North Carolina, to be closer to family, Tom worked in the transportation unit at Hill AFB, until he retired in 2018 at the age of 81. Tom was an avid prospector. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was very close to them.

Tom is survived by 2 daughters: Cynthia Marie Gross Westbroek (Floyd Scott) and Deborah Kay Gross Zuurbier (Hendricus Henk Johannes); grandchildren: Kyle Westbroek (Diane), Amanda Westbroek Jasmer (Dustin); Tyler Zuurbier, Nicholas Zuurbier; great-grandchildren: Roxanne Asay, Christopher Sherman, Ryan Westbroek, Ryker Westbroek, Wyatt Holliday and Saylor Jasmer. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Jean Gross Keiser, wife, JoAnne, and son, Sgt. Christopher Allen Gross, USMC.

A graveside service will be held at West Point City Cemetery, 80 N.4000 W., West Point, Utah on November 1, 2024 at 10:00 with Bishop Matt Mikkelsen presiding.

 The family would like to express thanks to the medical staff who attended to him over the past few years, to Atlas Home Health and Hospice for their caring support and the friendship they offered to Tom, friends and neighbors who were there to support us and help him along his journey.

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