It was a beautiful, clear autumn day, Thursday, October 11, 1928, was the day that the world was blessed with James Willes Gross, Sr. to the late Charles Willes Gross, and Beulah Virginia Butler-Gross, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He was affectionately known to his family and friends as Lammie. He is the second oldest of seven children, which five have preceded him in death.

James was educated in the Pennsylvania Public School System. As a teen, James worked in the ship yards in Pittsburgh where he helped to build the USS Missouri. Lammie signed up with the United States Navy, serving on the very same ship he helped build as a Boatswain Mate 1st Class. He also served on the USS Arizona until he was injured during the Korean Conflict/War.

James met the love of his life, Janell Timmons in 1947. He and a Navy buddy, Alex, seemed to be joined at the hip. Whenever Alex would visit his girlfriend Georgia, James always came along. So Georgia asked her girlfriend Janell to come and keep James company and talk and that’s when the love began. Some time later, they married on October 28th and to this union, 7 children were born; Crystal, Carmen (Lorraine), Jacqueline, Jaimeé, James, Jr., Rosiland and Michele.

James was a hard working man, very skilled with his hands and never failed to provide for his wife and children. Sometimes having a part time job as well as a full time job. In 1970, James began working at the United States Postal Service as a Mail Handler until he retired. After retirement, James life was filled with grand and great-grand children. He was an ever-present force in everyone’s life. He was loving, kind, charming and had a magnetic personality that was always willing to strike up conversations and talk to anyone. He was full of wisdom, stories, love and light. Everyone that has ever met him immediately loved him and his great cooking. With a bass/baritone voice, he loved to sing to his kids. Especially funny little songs like “Straighten Up and Fly Right” and “You’re One Ugly Child”!!

He loved to travel!! Every summer there was always an adventure. Whether it was to see family or to see some place new, the family would load up the green Station Wagon with the wood paneling on the side and away we would go. He also loved fishing, boating and cruising .

After years of supporting his family, especially his kids, to live a life pleasing to the Lord, in 1981 James gave his life to the Lord and joined Bethel Gospel Tabernacle. Not only was he a member but he worked in the print shop for years. Every bulletin, program and publication was carefully taken care of by James. He was affectionately known at Bethel as Poppy or Papa Gross. He had the pleasure of knowing Bishop Roderick Caesar, Sr and the entire Caesar clan. He had a special relationship with Rev. John Sherrod and when he could no longer come out to church, Rev. Sherrod along with Dea. Milton Williams would visit him whether he was home or in the hospital. This expression of love affected him deeply. It had been a few months since he’d visited with Rev. Sherrod and Dea. Williams. When they received a phone call that they should come, they immediately responded. They visited and prayed with James and two hours later he went home to be with the Lord. He was purpose-filled, and always had so much love to give.

He was preceded in death by his daughters Crystal and Jaimeé, his parents Charles and Beulah, his sister Patricia, and his brothers, Charles, Milford, and William (Billy)