Doris Ruth Gross

1921 - 2015

Doris Ruth Gross

Doris Ruth Gross was born June 10, 1921. She passed on peacefully June 26, 2015 at Retsil Veteran's Home in Port Orchard. Doris was born in Grangeville Idaho, but grew up in Yakima WA. Her life was one of service to Veterans and love of her family. She joined the Navy in WWII at the age of 20, where she was a link instructor for Navy pilots. There she fell in love and married Captain Ivan Crouse, who died in the war. Doris returned to Washington State to attend college at U of W, married Wallace Gross, had a family and worked as an examiner for new recruits and co-founded the West Seattle based American Legion Post 204; an all-female post known as the "service girls". In 1979, Doris was the FIRST women in history to be elected to serve as Commander of any state in the USA for the American Legion. In 2013, the West Seattle's Veteran's Legion Post honored Doris by naming the soon to be renovated Center board room the Doris Gross Executive Board Room. Doris continued on being extremely active in Veteran affairs. She acted as a lobbyist for Veteran's and was appointed by President Reagan to be on a board to consult for Veteran Affairs. Doris was instrumental in working on the WWII memorial in Washington DC, and the National Veteran's Cemetery in Kent, WA to name just a few issues that she fought for the Veterans.

Doris raised two daughters as a divorced woman, often working two jobs. She was a loving mother to Leslye Bergan( Louis), and Sydney Johnson-Gorrell (Christopher), five grandchildren, Ryan Johnson, Kara Donahue, Eric Bergan, Brent Bergan, Tyler Bergan, and 7 great grandchildren. She shared 37 years with Lewis Brewer, who every morning brought her a cup of coffee and told her she was the most beautiful woman in the world. And she was to everyone who knew her. She had a great love of life, organizing parties and events for veterans, dancing, owning race horses, reading, spending time with family and friends, and always keeping a positive view on life in any circumstance. She was loving and giving; always believing in the goodness of people. When Doris Gross walked into a room you always saw a true lady that made the world a better place.

A memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, July 14 at the West Seattle Legion Post 160 of West Seattle, 3618 SW Alaska St. at 11:00 am. To be followed by a Military Funeral Honor service at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St. Kent at 2:30.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the West Seattle Post 160 Doris Gross Executive Boardroom renovation project.