Carl Gross

Carl “Jim” Gross, 89, of Bloomington passed away on February 14th at Owen Valley Health Campus in Spencer. Jim was born in Owen County to Raymond and Noma Gross. He attended schools in Ellettsville and Bloomington, graduating from Bloomington High School in 1938. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa in 1947. Jim was active in the National Guard when he enlisted in the Army in 1939 and began a distinguished military career. He was wounded at Pearl Harbor and received the Purple Heart, served in Europe and retired from the Army in 1943. He continued his military career with the Air Force and was a member of the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance unit when that unit received an Outstanding Unit award. After retiring as a major in the Air Force in 1962, he worked in civil service in various administrative positions in the Dallas area.After becoming a widower, Jim reconnected by chance with his high school sweetheart, Helen (Holland) Salisbury who was herself a widow and romance bloomed again. They were married on July 1, 1994 and decided to return to Bloomington where they had first met. Jim was always physically active, even running a marathon in Texas, and attending and winning medals at Master’s Track and Field competitions. After returning to Bloomington, he could be found on many Saturdays race walking 5K’s until his 88th year, and had a wall full of trophies to show off as a result. Jim’s other passion was Big Band music. He and Helen hosted a radio show on WFHB from 1995 until 2008 playing and commenting on the Big Band numbers they both loved. They interviewed some of the greats of that era including, Artie Shaw, Jo Stafford, and Ray Conniff. They were known on the radio as “Ole J.G. and the Sweet Girl” and amassed many fans and appreciative listeners.Jim was a member of the Military Officers of America; National Association of Retired Federal Employees; Pearl Harbor Survivors Association; Veterans of Foreign Wars; and was a deacon in the First Christian Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Martha Scully of Bloomington, a sister, Charlene Kendall of Florida; and a daughter, Charlene Hill of California. He is survived by his wife Helen Salisbury-Gross; a sister, Peg Ward of Indianapolis; a brother-in-law, Major General Maurice Kendall of Florida; a son, James O’Brien Gross of Nevada; a daughter and son-in-law James and Debbie Witte of Texas; two stepsons, Larry Harmon and wife Jodie of Texas and James Harmon and wife Kathy of Texas; many nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.Jim lived every day to the fullest, always eager to enjoy a joke, watch the next ballgame, get to the next race, or put on a favorite record. He will be missed by all who knew him.Visitation will be at Allen Funeral Home on Friday, February 19th from 3-6 p.m. with military rites conducted by the Veterans Honor Guard at 6 p.m. The funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, February 20th at the First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Avenue, in Bloomington with Pastor Mark Calvert-Rosenberger officiating. Burial will take place at a later date in the Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of Bloomington.

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Carl Gross

July 1, 1920 - February 14, 2010