Claude Owen Gross Jr. of Southaven, MS. passed away on June 16, 2018, he was born on June 9, 1929 in Memphis, TN. to Claude Phillip and Elizabeth Jones Gross who preceded him in death along with his wife of 66 years Martha Joyce Gross, sons James Earl Gross, Claude Owen (Buddy) Gross and twin grandchildren Rachel and Jeremiah Gross, also two  brothers Harold Phillip (Bubba) Gross and Richard Maurice Gross.
He is survived by his sons Richard S. Gross (Sheila) and Stephen M. Gross (Pam); five grandchildren, Stephen Gross (Chelle), Christie Gross Smith(Shea), James Gross (Jennifer), Andrew Gross (Christy), Jennifer Gross Clay (Ryan) and he was blessed with 18 Great grandchildren.  He was immensely proud of his grandchildren and great grandchildren and would brag about them to anyone who would listen.
Claude often echoed the sentiments of 3 John 1:4 when he would say, "Martha and I have been blessed by God with our chldren and are thankful that they all know Jesus as their Savior."
Claude graduated from Cummings Elementary and South Side High School. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 97 and member of Ole 97 alumni; also a member of (Mclemore Ave Masonic Lodge) now Oakville Lodge #599.  Retired from the Illinois Central Railroad with 42 years service and was a faithful member of Broadway Baptist Church.
C.O. Gross, "I was born and raised within one mile of where I will be buried. I hunted these fields as a boy and our swimming hole was in the creek which runs about 100 feet to the south.  I shot my first squirrel and quail within 200 yards of my grave.  My father was also raised within a mile of here and played in these same fields and woods."
Claude Gross, or Papa Gross as he was known by many in his church family leaves a legacy of love behind that will not soon be forgotten.  As C.h. Spurgeon said, " A good character is the best tombstone.  So carve your name on hearts, and not on marble."  Rest well Papaw...there are countless hearts that will forever be engraved with the love that you gave.