Obituary of Reverend Leonard Scott Gross

Reverend Leonard Scott Gross, 88, of Pythian St., Morgantown, passed away Friday, March 1, 2013 at Sundale Nursing Home in Morgantown. Leonard was born in Sutton, WV on June 5, 1924, the son of the late Teddy Otto Gross and the late Georgia (Hoover) Gross. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Louise Moats Gross; two children, Linda Johnson of Morgantown and Jan Comfort and her husband Don of Anderson, SC; a sister, Irma "Toots" Shy of Barboursville, WV; one brother, Howard Gross and his wife Beulah "Boots" Gross of Reisterstown, MD; and his former son-in-law, Roy Johnson of Morgantown. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Charles Otto Gross, Mary Dishman, and Herold Gross. Reverend Gross was ordained a Deacon in the Episcopal church in 1973, and fully ordained as a priest in 1974. Throughout his priesthood, he served the Diocese of West Virginia at Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in Williamstown, WV and Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Keyser, WV. He was a graduate of the P.I. Reed School of Journalism at West Virginia University and spent many years working for various newspaper and television media outlets in Morgantown, Charleston, Huntington and Akron, OH. From 1962-1982, he worked for Consolidation Coal Company, ending his career as their General Manager of Public Relations. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served during World War II in the European Theatre of Operations. He was a longtime member of the Morgantown North Rotary Club, the Osher Lifelong Learners Institute (OLLI) and participated in a number of volunteer activities in the communities where he lived and worked. In his spare time, Reverend Gross was an avid gardener, and enjoyed walking for fitness. Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, WV on Monday, March 4 from 4:00-8:00 PM, where a vigil service will be held at 7:00 PM. On Tuesday, March 5, Reverend Gross will be moved to Trinity Episcopal Church, 247 Willey St., Morgantown, WV, where he will lay in repose from 12:30 PM-1:30 PM. The celebration of the Requiem Mass will take place at 1:30 PM Tuesday afternoon in the church with Father Mike Hadaway as celebrant, assisted by Father Harold Bishop. Interment will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Morgantown, where full military honors will be accorded at the graveside. The casket will remained closed for visitation at the church only. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions please be made to either the P.I. Reed School of Journalism, C/O WVU Foundation, PO Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26504, or to Trinity Episcopal Church, 247 Willey St., Morgantown, WV 26505. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.