Byrle Ellsworth Gross, 92, of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, died Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011, at his home. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, 2011, at Belhaven Community Cemetery and will be conducted by the Rev. Leonard Bowers. Mr. Gross’ cremated remains will be buried alongside his wife, Mary.
Byrle was born July 3, 1918, in Cherokee, Iowa, to Eli Gross and Anna Crippen Gross. He graduated from Marcus, Iowa, High School. He joined the United States Navy in 1938, serving on the cruiser USS Vincennes and continuing with pride through World War II as Gunnery Fire Officer on destroyers USS Madison, Edwards, and NOA. During his service in the Navy, he cruised the Aleutians, the central and south Pacific Oceans, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Lieutenant (JG) Byrle Gross earned the Navy Unit Citation, the American, Asiatic Pacific Area Four Stars Medals, the Philippine Liberation Two Star Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
He married Mary Elizabeth Foreman on Dec. 14, 1940, in South Mills, North Carolina. Following his Honorable Discharge from the United States Navy in 1947, Byrle and Mary moved from Norfolk, Virginia, to Gering and Scottsbluff, Nebraska, where he was employed as lineman and service man by Consumers Public Power District, now known as Nebraska Public Power District.
In 1958, Byrle was appointed to fill a new position as Electric Heating Advisor at the NPPD general office in Columbus, Nebraska. His NPPD career continued as Marketing Manager, then to Energy Management Manager. He remained in that position until his retirement in 1983.
Byrle returned to Scottsbluff in 1997, where he and Mary resided at the Village at Regional West. He was a member, usher and Trustee of the First Baptist Church in Scottsbluff. He was an electrician, builder and visionary, a model train enthusiast, a traveler, jokester and friend to all who knew him.
He is survived by his brother Paul Gross and wife Sally of Escondido, Calif.; daughter Louise Kent and her husband Douglas of Scottsbluff, Neb.; son Byrle Gross, Jr., and his wife Dr. Cynthia Sherwood of Independence, Kan.; daughter Ruth Bowman and her husband John of Lawrence, Kan.; daughter Kay and her husband Mark Neuer of Topeka, Kan., and sister-in-law, Hilda Foreman Allen of Wenona, N.C. He is also survived by grandchildren Karla (Travis) Jensen; Kathryn (John) Manley, Peggy (Douglas) Millay; Amanda (John) Loken; Katie Gibson, Eli (Nicole) Gross; Audrey and Daniel Gross, and Elise, Lauren and Meridith Neuer; and six great-grandchildren, Hannah, Grace and Emily Manley; Elizabeth, Madeline and Alaina Millay and Bine and Angus Loken.
Byrle was preceded in death by his wife Mary, his parents and twin sisters June Merrill and Jean Bouchard.
The family will receive friends following the graveside services until 2 p.m. at the home of Hilda Foreman Allen, 8899 Railroad Bed Road, Pantego, NC 27860.
You may address condolences to the Gross family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.
Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven is honored to serve the Gross family.