James "Jim" C Gross

James “Jim” C Gross of Merrill

Beloved brother, step-son, brother, uncle, and friend passed away at home on Sunday, January 15, 2023. James C. Gross was born on June 18, 1966, in Midland, Michigan, to the late Charles and Shirley (Polson) Gross. Jim was a graduate of Bullock Creek High School, where he proudly participated on the varsity basketball and track teams, accomplishing all-state in pole vaulting. At a young age, Jim learned the importance of hard work, taking on jobs in construction. Throughout the years, he worked for the pipeline industry traveling across the country. He was competitive man, taking part in MIRA snowmobile races where he won three titles. Over the course of his life, Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing, and in later years became quite the cook. Jim was not a jack of all trades, but rather a master of them. He was an inventive man who had the ingenuity, skills, and knowledge to whatever he set his mind to, such as building an airplane and inventing new tools. Jim will forever be remembered as an outgoing man with a great sense of humor, but who had a reserved and contemplative side.

Jim is survived by brother Ronald E. Gross; sister Terry (Dan) Smerdon; brother-in-law Mark Oszust; and niece Andrea (Gordon) Arold; as well as several other nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members, and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Juli Oszust.

Funeral services for Jim will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 23, 2023, at W.L. Case & Company, 125 E. Saginaw St., Merrill. Rev. Rob Richards presiding. Visitation will take place on Sunday, January 22, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow at Lakefield Township Cemetery with a gathering immediately following at Woody’s Place. Please share your thoughts, prayers, and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.casefuneralhome.com.