Ray L. Gross

Ray L. Gross

YORK – Ray Levere Gross, 84, entered into rest on Tuesday morning, March 8, 2022, at his home in York.  He was the husband of Mary Lou (Cunningham) Gross, who passed away March 13, 2016.

Born December 19, 1937 in Thomasville, Ray was the son of the late Lester M. and Sarah K. (Eyster) Gross.  Ray’s mother passed away when he was five years old.  He was raised primarily by his older sisters, in particular Anna (Gross) Crone and her husband, Sterling.  Ray attended many schools:  Heindel’s Schoolhouse, Harmony Grove, Emig’s Schoolhouse, Gatchelville and Rohler’s.  At age 16, he graduated from Dover High School in 1954, having skipped a grade.

Ray’s first job was picking strawberries, one he will tell you he was not fond of.  Ray’s industrial distribution career began at Bush-Miller in York, where he met Mary Lou.  In 1972, Ray, Mary Lou and Ray’s brother, Dean, left Bush-Miller to form Transply, Inc., a competing industrial distributor.  Ray retired from Transply in 2009.

Ray was a life-long member of Rohler’s Lutheran Church in Dover.  He served on council and as a Sunday School teacher.  He also served on the Board of Lutheran Social Services (now SpiriTrust Lutheran).

Next to Mary Lou, Ray’s second true love was his dobro and bluegrass music.  They could often be found traveling to local festivals, with Ray playing at local events or at jam sessions in Franklintown, at Church of the Open Door, or even hosting regularly at their home.  Ray also had a fondness for anything with wheels:  cars, tractors and airplanes.

Ray is survived by two children, Brian S. Gross and fiancé, Lesa Kiddle and Susan R. Crone and husband, Matthew, all of Dover.  Four grandchildren, Chelsea Spinks (Christopher II) and Colby Crone; and Mitchell Gross (Katlyn) and Eden Gross.  Three great-grandsons, Christopher Spinks III, Easton Gross and Clayton Spinks.

He is also survived by siblings, Erma Dentler, Mearl Gross and Rosara Harlacher, all of Dover.  He was preceded in death by brothers, Clair and Dean; and by sisters, Anna Crone, Dorothy Westerhold and N. Alverta Mitzel.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Ray’s funeral at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2022 at Rohler's Lutheran Church, 791 Rohler’s Church Road, Dover.  There will be viewings from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at Emig Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., 47 N. Queen St., Dover and from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on Monday at the Church.  Officiating will be the Rev. Amy Northridge.  Following cremation, interment for Ray will be private in Rohler’s Mountain View Cemetery.

Though words cannot express it enough, the family would like to thank Visiting Angels for their care of Ray these past three years.  Many caregivers have become just like family, in particular Connie, Loretta, Dorothy and too many more to mention.  And the kindness and compassion of Memorial White Rose Hospice in Ray’s final weeks is very much appreciated by the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rohler's Mountain View Cemetery Fund, c/o Rohler's Lutheran Church, 2001 George St., Dover, PA 17315; or the Alzheimer's Association, 2595 Interstate Dr., Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or by visiting alz.org.

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