James “Jimmy T.” Tucker Gross, 81, died peacefully Sunday morning at his rural Upland home surrounded by his loving family. He was born December 7, 1936, in Rushville, Indiana, the son of the late Arthur and Ethel (Tucker) Gross, the family lived in Rushville and Connersville before later moving to Marion.
Jim graduated from Marion High School in 1954, where he lettered as a multi-sport athlete. He attended Ball State University on a sports scholarship. He left the university and worked on the construction of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He then enlisted for a tour of duty in the US Army, including serving eighteen months in Germany working at a children’s hospital.
He met and married the love of his life, Danna J. Penrod, and following their marriage on Valentine’s Day in 1959, they began their family.
Upon his discharge from the military, Jim returned to Marion and began working for the former Fisher Body Corporation. Jim felt called to public service and became a policeman for the Marion Police Department, retiring in 1984 after 20 years of distinguished service, serving in nearly every capacity within the department.
He was a 1966 graduate of the Traffic Institute at Northwestern University and added many additional certifications throughout his career. He taught the first motorcycle school for Grant County in the early 1980s for endorsements through the BMV. Additionally, he was employed as security staff at Marion General Hospital for thirty years.
Following his retirement from MGH, he dedicated his time to his family and a variety of crafts. Many winters saw Jim and Danna become snowbirds as they went to their Florida residence, first in their beloved Cortez village and later in Tampa. They were very involved in community life there, and always loved entertaining their family when they came to visit and escape harsh Indiana weather.
Jim was a distinguished woodworker, having displayed one of his carving pieces in the national Woodcarver’s Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He also became interested in stained glass and began creating dozens of beautiful and intricate designs. Most of his creations became treasured gifts to family and friends.
Jim was an active member of the Epworth United Methodist Church in Matthews where he also served as pastor parish chair and as a trustee. He was also active in the church’s Cancer Care Ministry. He was also a member of FOP #79 Martin Boots Lodge, and the NRA.
Survivors in addition to his wife of 58 years, Danna, are two daughters: Kimberly (Dan) Wall, Matthews; Lizette (Duane) Johnson, Marion; a son, James (Danielle) Gross, Matthews; a brother, Bill (Joann) Gross, Upland; eleven grandchildren, including, Jennifer Terry, Oneida, TN; Timothy (Lauren) Pauley, and Laura (Nick) Ashba, both of Marion; Nikki Wall, Trenton (Sarah) Mosier-Lee, Rian and Hunter Gross, all of Matthews; Brittany (Adam) Marvin, Swayzee; Megan (Rick) Wooten, Hazard, KY; Aaron (Shayna Landis) Wall and Lezlie (Derek) Koger, both of Muncie; 20 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and his beloved canine buddy, Benji.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Nathan Johnson, in 2015.
Arrangements were entrusted to Armes-Hunt Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Jones-Smith Chapel, 259 N. Main St., Upland, Indiana, 46989, where a visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 10, from 4-8 pm. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at 11:30 am at Epworth United Methodist Church, 105 W. Eighth St., Matthews, Indiana, with an hour of visitation prior to the service. Interment with military rites will follow at Marion National Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 36, Matthews, Indiana, 46957.