John Robert Gross

John Robert Gross died Friday, May 4, 2007, at a local hospital, surrounded by his family. He was truly an original, living life his way to the end. John was born in Humboldt, Tennessee, on December 6, 1944, to Marion T. and Maggie (Hayes) Gross. He graduated from Greeneville, Tennessee High School and Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee. He served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1975, attaining the rank of sergeant. During his military service, he was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, as well as serving a year in Vietnam. In 1982, John moved to Abilene to take a position as a computer programmer/analyst for Hendrick Medical Center. He was part of the team that installed the original mainframe computer system for admissions and patient accounting. He worked for Hendrick until a stroke in 1994 forced his retirement. In 1987, John met Annabel House who would become the love of his life. They were married at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal, on June 24, 1989. John and Annabel played in the hand bell choir for nineteen years, and John was famous for the briskets he cooked for choir parties. He was also a charter member of the Big Country Chapter, Texas Master Naturalist. He truly loved the outdoors, and took his kayak down the Trinity River from Lewisville to Carrollton one Thanksgiving. John also loved listening to all kinds of music, entertaining at his home, and hanging out at Dos Amigos. He and Annabel traveled whenever they could, and especially loved taking their grandchildren on trips each summer. John is survived by Annabel House, his wife of seventeen years, his daughter, Jessica Hankins of Lenoir City, Tennessee, his grandchildren, Christian and Ashton Hankins, who brought him much joy. Survivors also include his sister, Mary Louise Gunnells and her husband Reginald, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, as well as her two daughters, Sandra Park and Laura Miller. Also surviving are a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Sherry House, of Carrollton, Texas, and their two children, Scott and Jamie House, and a sister-in-law, Mignon Hunter of Houston, Texas. John was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and a sister who died in childhood. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday May 9, 2007, at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal. Inurnment will be in the columbarium at the church, and a reception will follow in the parish hall. One of John's often- mentioned wishes was that a party celebrating his life be held. The gathering of all of his family and friends will be on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, at 3433 South Willis, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. The family requests memorials to the Church of the Heavenly Rest Choir Fund, 602 Meander, Abilene, Texas 79602, or to the donor's favorite charity.