George R. Grosse

1930 - 2016

GROSSE The Honorable George R. Grosse of Jacksonville, Florida, was called home to be with The Lord on June 3, 2016. He was 86 years old. George is survived by Corene, his wife of 63 years, his daughter Lynn Hodges and her husband Wyllie, his son Barry Grosse and his wife Renee, his son Doug Grosse, his sister Penny Kilcrease and her husband David, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He is pre-deceased by his sister Mildred Wright. George was born on March 15, 1930, in Jacksonville, Florida, to Rudolph and Edna Grosse. He was a graduate of Baldwin High School and a life long resident of Jacksonville's Westside. He was an accomplished businessman, a successful law enforcement official and a public servant who enjoyed a reputation for honesty, fair dealing and his strong Christian faith. He was a member of Westside Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon for more than 25 years. He began his career as a chicken farmer with an entrepreneurial spirit, a strong work ethic and the America Dream in his heart. He later became a journeyman carpenter and in 1957 he joined the Duval County Road Patrol as a Deputy Sheriff. While employed with the County Road patrol, he founded Gateway Concrete Contractors, Inc., as a side business. In 1968, he was elected President of Duval County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #30 . He was the first elected President of the consolidated city and county FOP Lodge #5-30, and in 1968 he was selected as Officer of the Year for the consolidated Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. He continued to serve as FOP President until he left JSO in 1970 to devote his full attention to his expanding concrete business which he ultimately grew to be the largest concrete contractor of its day in Northeast Florida. Some of his other entrepreneurial endeavors include a 120 bed skilled nursing faculty, a polygraph company, and numerous real estate ventures. In 1973, George was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in District 15, where he represented West Duval County, as well as all of Baker, Nassau and Union Counties for three terms. He resigned his seat as the District 15 Representative in 1977, after the President of the United States appointed him as the U.S. Marshall for the Middle District of Florida, a role he served in until 1982. Later he was appointed by the mayor to the Jacksonville Electric Authority Board of Directors and was subsequently elected Board Chairman. George was recognized on several occasions for his active role in the leadership of the Boy Scouts of America's Great Northern District during the 1990s. In addition, he maintained an active role and presence in local politics his entire life. Above all he cherished his lord and savior, Jesus Christ, his family and his church. His life was dedicated to the service of others and he continues to serve as a role model for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren today. A viewing is scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 7, 2016, and a funeral service with police honors will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 8th. Both the viewing and funeral service will be held at Westside Baptist Church, 7775 Herlong Rd., Jacksonville, Florida 32210. All are welcome to attend and celebrate George's life. Internment will follow at Riverside Memorial Park. Please Sign Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com