John Gross

John Wayne Gross, 77, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away at his residence Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023.

Mr. Gross was born July 25, 1946 in Sedalia, Kentucky, son of the late James and Verba Gross.

John served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Murray State University, his master’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University, and his PhD from SIU Carbondale. He was a vocational counselor and spent the majority of his career at the Technical Career Center in Poplar Bluff. He also taught college classes after receiving his PhD.

John was a Christian and devoted many years to serving in the church. He and his wife were members at Lone Prairie Church in Qulin for many years and have been longtime members of First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff where he served as a deacon and sang in the church choir.

John had a special place in his heart for missions. He was a summer missionary in South Dakota after his sophomore year in college. He and his wife had the opportunity throughout their marriage to go on mission trips to South Africa, Costa Rica, and Mexico. They loved to travel together and visited all 50 states and over 25 foreign countries. John loved his family and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and watching them play sports.

On May 31, 1969 he married Carol Melton Gross. She survives. Also surviving is one son: Michael (Michelle) Gross, and two grandchildren: Katelyn and Morgan Gross, all of Poplar Bluff; one brother: William Gross of Wentzville, Missouri; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two brothers: Dail and Joe Gross.

Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff. Additional visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Friday in the church sanctuary with the funeral to follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor Brandon Spain and Pastor Bill Vail officiating. Burial will follow at the Qulin Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff or the American Cancer Society. Condolences: www.whitesandersfuneralhome.com