Obituary for James F Gross
James F. Gross James F. Gross age 57 of Altus passed away Monday, March 20,2000 at his residence after a lengthy illness. He was born April 19, 1942 in Beloit, Wisconsin to Earl and Letha (Meade) Gross. In l961 Jim began his career with the United States Air Force, he went thru basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base Wichita Falls, Texas. He was a crew chief with the HC-54-D Skymaster, Goose Bay, Labrador. He was also stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming where he flew the C54D, VC54D, C54G, C47D and VC47D which was known as the Sky Train. Jim flew many generals around the world. He attended a 6 weeks flight training in Fort Benning, Georgia on the CV-2A Caribou, survival school in Spokane, Washington and Jungel Survival School in the Phillippines. During his tour in Vietnam the first 6 months he was stationed with the 134th station company with the United States Army. He flew various combat missions on the C-7-A Carbou out of Soc-Trang Vietnam. On December 31, 1966 he started flying with the United States Air Force again. He flew complete squadrons from Soco-Trang to CamRon Bay. Then he flew combat missions from ComRon Bay. After his tour duty in Vietnam he was stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, no flying slots were available, so he began phase maintenance on C54, C118, C131, T29C, VCT29D. Jim attended performance school at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas in 1968. He was later transferred to Otis Air Force Base, Capt Cod Massachusetts to fly the C121-G/ Constilation/Connie and the EC121H. He flew TDY to Iceland and McCoy Air Force Bsse, Florida for radar missions around Cuba and also flew radar-coverahe of the Artic Circle. He flew the DC121 H's to the Bone Yard in Arizona in 1969. He was transferred to McClellan Air Force Base, Sacramento, California, he was checked out on the DC121-G and flew the DC 121-D, DC121-Q and the DCC121-T, DC 121-DT, RC121-D. From December 1969 to 1972 he flew Radar mi8ssions on Northwest Coast of the United States and Canada. He attended flight training at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas to be checked out on the C130-E/Hercules. Jim later was transferred to Hill Air Force Base, Utah for transition training. He checked out on the HC 130, HC 130 P and HC130 H for rescue and space recover. He was transferred to Hamilton Air Force Base, Orange County, California. From 1972 to 1973 he flew search and rescue, and also flew dog teams. He flew support mission for President Richard Nixon to China in 1972. He flew the rescue mission to find Congressman Boggs and Baggage for 30 days in Alaska, to his date the aircraft has never been located. In 1973 he was transferred to McClellan Air Force Base, California, he flew Air rescue in the 41st Area Space Rescue and Recovery. In 1974 he attended Transition Training for the C130-E in Little Rock, Arkansas and later transferred to Clark Air Force Base , Phillippines where he flew the C130-E Trash Haulers/Cargo. He was also stationed at McCord Air Force Base, Tacoma, Washington where he flew C1411-B worldwide cargo/passenger missions including airdrop and air refueling missions as a flight engineer instructor. Jim was a Simulator and Flight Instructor at Altus Air Force Base for initial qualified students in air refueling and airdrop until his retirement in 1981 with the 57th Squadron. From 1985 thur 1999 he worked military contract as a flight/simulator Instructor teaching the KC10's. Jim received many awards throughout his military career with includes the Air Medal, 4 OakLeaf Clusters; Air Force Commendation medal, 2 OakLeaf Cluster; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon, 4 Oakleaf Cluster; National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, 2 stars, Republic of Vietnam, Gallant Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal,; Air Force Outstanding Unit with Valor, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, 1 Silver Oakleaf Cluster. Jim ended his career as a flight Instructor for United Airlines. On May 23, 1969 in Nacona, Texas Jim and Carolyn McMahan were united in marriage. Jim was a longtime acti9ve member of the VFW Post #4876, member of the Lutheran Church in Blanchardville, Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife Carolyn of the home in Altus, Two sons, Lloyd Ray Cross and wife Tracy of Altus, Oklahoma, Roy T Gross of Virginia Beach, Virginia, one sister, Jean Vamstad of Blarchardville, Wisconsin, five grandchildren, Ashley Gross, Alan Gross, Samatha Schultz, Michael Schultz, Tiffany Schultz all of Altus, Oklahoma. He is preceded in death by his parents. Services are scheduled at 2;00 PM Thursday, March 23, 2000 at Lowell Tims Chapel with Sonny Tims officiating under direction of Lowell Tims Funeral Home.
03/23/2000
2:00 PM
Memorial
Lowell-Tims Chapel
Altus
OK
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03/23/2000
2:00 PM
Memorial
Lowell-Tims Chapel
Altus
OK
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