Gross, John George

John George Gross passed away on May 19, 2023, at the age of 94 at the Friendship Village Care Center surrounded by his family. John was a caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend.

He was born July 3, 1928 to John P. Gross and Leonore Gross nee Stamm. John met the love of his life, Dorothy Gross nee VanDe Vooren, at McKenzie elementary school in the third grade.  They used to ride bikes together and do their homework in the VanDeVooren kitchen. John graduated Kirkwood High School in 1946. He graduated from St. Louis Institute of Music with a Bachelor of Music in 1950. John then served in the U. S. Army from 1951-1953, serving principally at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. John then attended Washington University and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He and Dorothy married in 1955 at St. Lucas United Church of Christ. Together they had two children, Jim and Lenore.

John worked his whole life as a pianist and organist, both teaching and accompanying singers and instrumentalists. He started serving as organist at St. Lucas UCC in 1953. He was a superbly gifted organist. He played with such gusto on Sunday mornings that everyone there just had to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. John was able to play the perfect piece for worship, weddings and funerals. He was a source of strength and he led with faith and trust through his music ministry. After 69 years, he officially retired in 2022 at the age of 94.

John was a staff accompanist for the Music Department of SIU-E for 44 years. John’s colleagues were amazed at his ability to play anything put in front of him with no advance warning. He fearlessly sight read and improvised whatever the occasion called for and saved countless singers from disaster. He was also the accompanist for the Apollos Men’s Chorus at the Missouri Athletic Club for over 50 years. The Apollo members recounted that John was subject to endless rehearsals, and repetition, yet maintained his affability and kept coming back each week. He had the ability to get good music out of a bad upright piano under poor lighting.

John was an integral part of musical entertainment and fellowship at Friendship Village after he and Dorothy moved there in 2015. He was well known for the Sunday Sing-A-Longs he and another talented Friendship Village pianist held every week. Over the years, John accompanied many singers and taught many aspiring pianists. His musical talent was spread far and wide throughout St. Louis.

John and Dorothy enjoyed entertaining friends and family at their home. John liked barbecuing and outdoor yard games. John and his family regularly vacationed at Table Rock Lake and especially enjoyed Silver Dollar City. Michigan was another favorite family destination. After he reduced his work schedule, he and Dorothy enjoyed traveling throughout the U. S.

John encouraged both his children to pursue their musical interests. Jim played piano and trumpet throughout high school. Lenore played piano and sang. She is still an active member of the St. Lucas Choir. Grandpa John took great joy in teaching his two grandsons, Steven and T. J. to play piano and coaching his granddaughter, Emily, on the viola. All the grandchildren treasure the memories of playing with him at the St. Lucas church recitals and occasionally at other events.

John was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy Marie Gross and his brother Richard Gross. John is survived by his two children, Jim (and Diann) Gross and Lenore (and Paul) Eason, as well as his grandchildren Steven (and Vicki Montague) Gross of Denver, CO, Emily (and John Stelljes) Eason of Satellite Beach, FL, and T.J. (and Megan) Gross of St. Louis, and his four great-grandchildren Olive Montague Gross, Isla Rose Montague Gross, Ella Jean Stelljes and Andrew Jonah Stelljes.

A memorial service will be held at St. Lucas United Church of Christ, 11735 Denny Rd., on Wednesday, June 28 at 11am.  Funeral luncheon to follow at St. Lucas United Church of Christ.