Obituaries

Alonzo Mack Gross

Photo of Alonzo Mack Gross
Alonzo Mack Gross, 90, of Jefferson City, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 16, 2021, surrounded by family. He was born October 13, 1931, in Clarksburg, a son of George Farris and Minnie Ora (Potts) Gross. Mack was raised on a farm south of Tipton. After graduating Tipton High School in 1949, he was hired by the Missouri Highway Department, painting bridges throughout the state. In July 1952, Mack was drafted into the U.S. Army, training at Ft. Riley, Kansas, in the 2nd Infantry Division. He served behind the front lines in the Korean War and after the war was an MP at the U.S. Army Headquarters in Seoul, Korea, until his discharge on June 10, 1954, at Ft. Carson, Colorado. In 1956, Mack married Norma Jean Cook. Married 31 years, she preceded him in death along with two children, Alonzo Gross Jr. and Barbara Jean Gross. They had four additional children who survive: Mark Gross of Riceboro, Georgia, Joyce Williams of Waldron, Arkansas, Glenda Cotton (Lonnie) of Eldon, Ruth Allen Gross of California, Missouri. In 1987, Mack married Ronda Herndon Wade, who survives of the home. Other survivors include one step-son, John Wade of Indianapolis, Indiana; three siblings, Verni Brownfield, Georgia Fern Jones (Donald), Jean Jones; 17 grandchildren and 36 great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Nathan Wade; great-grandson, Callen Turner; daughter-in-law, Sheila Gross; and siblings, Denver Ray Gross, Marie Phoenix, Elbert Ray Gross, Mary Gross, Walter Frank Gross and Donald Gross. Mack worked for the Missouri Department of Corrections from 1958 until his retirement in 1987 as a Shift Captain. During this time, he received two "Outstanding Employee of the Year" recognitions, one for saving the life of a fellow employee and the second for professionalism and leadership ability. Mack was a very religious during his life and was an ordained Baptist Minister since 1972. Living in Tipton until the last five years, he knew almost everyone. He never knew a stranger and was always there to help. He had volunteered for the Boy Scouts, was a member of the Tipton American Legion and served on the Tipton Nutrition Center Board several terms, also serving as board president. Through the years Mack and Ronda loved to travel and visit family, visiting 45 states. Mack loved nature so much that people said he would return from trips with pictures of nothing but rocks. Being active in the community, Mack was known for his Master Fisherman skills, even catching fish with no bait while his fishing friends would have bait and not even a nibble. He was also a Master Gardener, sometimes feeding half of Tipton his tomatoes and vegetables. He was an avid and skilled puzzle participant, having some puzzles over 1500 pieces and 3D puzzles. Then there were his card playing skills or just out right "GOOD LUCK." He would take high bid with NO points in his hand and still win the hand. He had been accused of having special help from above. He loved his family and wanted to visit as much as possible. A great-grandson was named after him who is a miniature Alonzo. He was so proud of his namesake not to mention each and every family member. After moving to Primrose Retirement Community, he joined Cornerstone Baptist Church. Friends will be received from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Houser-Millard Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 21, 2021, at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 4930 Old Lohman Road, with Rev. Brian Credille officiating. Additional visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the church. Interment with full military honors will follow the funeral in the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery, south of Clarksburg. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Hospice Compassus or the Jefferson City Animal Shelter. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109. (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com

Published October 20, 2021