Lewis “Lou” Elmer Gross was born in Salem, New Jersey on February 15, 1937, at Salem Memorial Hospital to Oakford and Henrietta Gross.
He attended the public elementary school and graduated from Salem High School. He joined the Air Force shortly thereafter in 1954.
He honorably served our country on numerous Air Force bases. He began in Newark, New Jersey. He served as an Administrative Clerk and Clerk Typist and earned the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He served as an Administrative Specialist in three locations in England: Bushy Park, Sculthorpe, and Weathersfield. He retired from the Air Force in 1974, after serving our country for 20 years.
He was employed briefly by the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department.
Eventually, he was employed in the United States Postal Service, which he retired from after 31 years. During his time with the USPS, he was actively involved and engaged in the APWU (American Postal Workers Union). He served as President of Santa Barbara Area Local for six years. He has represented and saved the careers of hundreds of postal workers. He was greatly loved by the craft community and feared and respected by management. He gave them a run for their money.
He attended and graduated from Santa Barbara City College and Allan Hancock College.
Lou was very active in his local church, Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church. He was dedicated to the work of the Lord and served on the Trustee Board, Men’s Choir, Praise Team, Secretary and Treasurer of the Men’s department, fund raisers, and made mothers feel special on Mother’s Day. He loved the Lord and loved people.
His favorite Old Gospel song is Deborah Barnes’ song “I’m Still Holding On” and a newer Gospel song by Marvin Sapp “Thank You for It All.” His favorite bible reading is the 23rd Psalm.
He is survived by his wife Beatrice Gross, daughters: Karen, Diane, Deborah, and Colette. His son Lewis E. Gross Jr., 13 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren, a myriad number of nieces and nephews, 2 sisters: Bernice and Blanche, one cousin/sister Betty, and sisters and brothers-in-law.
He is preceded in death by his mother Henrietta and father Oakford, 2 brothers: Oakford Jr. and Harold, 1 sister Doris, 1 son Robert and 1 daughter Nicola.
“So, we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Rest in the Arms of the Lord, my love, rest.
The visitation will be Thursday, October 7, from 4-7pm at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. The funeral service will be Friday, October 8, at 2pm at Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Lompoc. The graveside service will be Monday, October 11, at 2pm at the Goleta Cemetery.
