Representative L. W. Joe Gross View All Years

L.W. JOE GROSS

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character, and public service of the late Honorable L.W. Joe Gross begs to submit the following Memorial:

L. W. Joe Gross was born October 27, 1925, in Ft. Morgan, Colorado. He graduated from Arispe High School in 1943.

Soon after graduation, Joe entered the U.S. Navy, serving during WWII and served aboard the USS CAPPS (a destroyer) in the South Pacific engaging in eight major campaigns. He was awarded seven Bronze Stars and honorably discharged from the Navy on March 16, 1946.

After returning home from WWII, Joe joined the Iowa Highway Patrol and worked for them for over 16 years with assignments in Osceola, Chariton and Mt. Ayr. After resigning from the Iowa Highway Patrol, he became an insurance agent and during this time, he also purchased and was administrator at Sunny Slope Nursing Home for ten years. He then built a new facility, Mt. Ayr Health Care Center in 1975, and was the owner and administrator until his retirement on May 1, 1999.

In 1978, Joe was elected to the Republican State Central Committee from the 5th and 3rd Congressional Districts and served the Republican Party of Iowa with honor and distinction for 18 years. Joe was active in the Iowa Health Association and served on their Board of Directors for 14 years. Governor Branstad appointed Joe to two three year terms on the Iowa State Board of Health. During his tenure on the Board of Health he made many health policies that are in effect today, helping the people of the state of Iowa.

While Joe was still in the Navy, he returned home on a convalescence and rehabilitation leave for two weeks and married his high school sweetheart, Helen Hammans, also of Arispe, on July 20, 1945. Joe was always active in his community having served two terms on the Mt. Ayr City Council, Ringgold County Hospital Board of Trustees, and headed the committee to build the new addition onto the hospital. He was an active member of the Masonic Lodge having served as Worshipful Master of Chariton Lodge #63 in Chariton and Faith Lodge #179 in Mt. Ayr.

Joe was a District Lecture for the Grand Lodge of Iowa and he conducted over 100 Masonic Funerals for his lodge and surrounding lodges. He served as Worthy Patron in the Order of the Eastern Start. He was a Rainbow Dad and was awarded the Grand Cross of Colors for Rainbow Girls. Joe was a Cub Scout leader and an active member of the Methodist Church, having served as a Lay Leader and Lay Speaker, served on the Administrative Board and many committees. He was also a Past Commander of Mt. Ayr American Legion Post #172, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Des Moines Consistory, Za-Ga-Zig Shrine and a past president of the South Central Shrine Club.

A Republican, Mr. Gross was a member of the 69th, 69thX, and 69thXX General Assemblies.

L.W. Joe Gross passed away on August 2, 2004, at the age of 78.

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved By The House of Representatives Of The Eighty-First General Assembly of Iowa, That in the passing of the Honorable L. W. Joe Gross, the State has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and the House by this Resolution would express its appreciation of his service.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

Cecil Dolecheck

Mike Reasoner

Richard Anderson

Committee