GROSS, HOMER L. - born June 17, 1926 in Caryville, TN, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on November 26, 2011, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. Homer attended First Baptist Church of Clinton. He served two tours of duty as an airplane and engine mechanic in the 222nd Division Infantry and 32nd Field Artillery Battery of the U. S. Army during W.W.II including battles in Northern France, Campaign Rhineland, and the Battle of the Bulge. He also worked as a mechanic on General Patton's airplanes. Homer was a recipient of the World War IIVictory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, the European and the African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. Following his honorable discharge on March 22, 1947, Homer worked for the Dept. of Energy in Oak Ridge, TN. He married the love of his life, Anna L. Gross on May 14, 1948 at Black Oak Baptist Church of Clinton and they celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on May 14, 2010. Together they founded and operated Clinton Floor and Cabinet Shop for over 50 years. Mr. Gross was a loving father, husband and brother, and will be truly missed by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bessie Enix Gross Prewitt and Ed Gross, brother James Earl Prewitt, sisters, Bonnie Hackworth and husband Charles, Rosalie Lovitt and husband Garrett, brother-in-laws Edsel Leinart and wife Dorothy Jo, Jan Simpelaar, Fred Quarto, sister-in-law Billie Queener and husband Jim, and nephew, Randy Leinart. Survived by loving son, Darrell Lynn Gross and wife Leslie; devoted daughters, Teena Gross Venable and husband Ken, and Karen Gross Gilbert and husband Roger; sister, Helen Webber; brothers, Homer Prewitt and wife Juanita, Bill Prewitt and wife Helen, and Carl Prewitt and wife Dallas of Michigan; sister-in-laws, Alma Prewitt of Ohio, Jean Simpelaar of Arizona, and Evelyn Brogan-Quarto of California; grandchildren, Darren Gross and wife Sarai, Chad Gross, Kent Venable and wife Micki, and Brooke Gilbert; great-grandchildren, Hayden Gross, Katelynn Gross, Kaylee Venable, Kolton Venable and Mary Nina Moretz; nephews, Gary Hackworth, Dennis Prewitt, Marvin Prewitt, Mike Prewitt, Bobby Prewitt, Robin Prewitt, Roger Prewitt, Joey Prewitt, Steven Leinart, Richard Simpelaar and Daniel Simpelaar; nieces, Shirley Webber, Joy Whittemore, Vonda Prewitt, Teresa Prewitt, Wilma Lovitt, Jewel Dean Lovitt, Linda Leinart, Patti Notzon, Kendra Cummins and Ronna Phillips; and a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins and relatives. The family would like to thank Homer's special caregivers for their unfailing devotion, dedication and compassion: Joyce Glymp, Christie Glymp, Barbara Moore and Susan Bingham. The family would also like to thank Dr. David R. Ayers and his staff at U.T. Family Physicians Clinton and U.T. Medical Center Hospice Services, especially Dr. Gregory L. Phelps and nurse Anne Knighton for their excellent care and treatment of Homer throughout his extended illness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Tennessee, 2270 Sutherland Avenue, Suite 202, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 from 6-8 PM at the Holley-Gamble Funeral Home with funeral service to follow at 8:00 PM with Rev. Sam Dean and Rev. Stan Elliott officiating. Organist will be Nadine Bush. Graveside services will be Wednesday, November 30th at 11:00AM at Sunset Cemetery in Clinton with full military honors by the Campbell County Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Darren Gross, Chad Gross, Kent Venable, Gary Hackworth, Steven Leinart, and Marvin Prewitt. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Prewitt and Larry Poole. Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of the arrangements. www.hommeygamblefh.com