Perry Winford Gross

Perry Winford Gross passed away surrounded by his family on February 5, 2024. Perry is survived by his son Greg Gross and his wife Stacey, daughter Shelley Ellis and her husband Tommy Grebiner, five grandchildren including Ryan Ellis and his wife Christina, Cassidy Lease, Savannah Spahn and her husband Justin, Keith Gross, and Lauren Gross. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren Jameson and Olivia Ellis. Perry was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years Barbara, his parents Cecil and Elsie Gross (Groce), and siblings Eugene Gross (Groce) and Sadie Carew.

Perry was born in Red Ash, Virgina on 5/24/36 and later moved to Salisbury, Maryland where he attended Wicomico High School. In high school, he excelled in both academics and football. Upon graduating from high school in 1955, he enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) earning the rank of Chief Master Sergeant in only 17 years. During his career in the armed forces, he was stationed twice in Japan, Thule Air Force Base in Greenland, Wurtsmith AFB in Oscoda, Michigan where he met his wife, Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, Montana, Anderson AFB in Guam, Offutt AFB in Omaha, Nebraska, and he finished his career representing the USAF at Nato Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Notable in his Air Force career was that he was once considered for the position of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, worked in Office of Special Investigations (OSI) where he had top security clearance, supported Bob Hope’s traveling USO show in Guam during the Vietnam War, participated on the Strategic Air Command’s (SAC) Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff at Offutt AFB, and he was offered the position of Base Sergeant Major at the prestigious Ramstein AFB in Germany prior to retiring on 10/1/78. In the military, he was awarded The Air Force Commendation Medal (1967), The Meritorious Service Medal twice (1972 & 1974), The Joint Service Commendation Medal (1977), and The Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1978). While in the military, Perry graduated from The University of Nebraska at Omaha (1976) with a degree in Business Administration in addition to previously taking courses at the College of Great Falls, University of Maryland, and Central Michigan University. Throughout his life, he was especially proud of both his college education and his 23.5 years of service to his country.

After leaving the USAF, Perry moved to Phoenix, Arizona with his family. He took a position as a business consultant, and he was ultimately hired by one of his clients as the Operations Manager at a local construction company. During his time in this industry, he was instrumental in growing Hernandez Electric (later Hernandez Companies) into a premiere facilities maintenance contractor/general contractor in Arizona with hundreds of tradesmen working at manufacturing plants throughout Maricopa Country including Motorola, AlliedSignal, Honeywell, Pepsi-Cola, Bull, and McDonald Douglas.

In retirement, Perry loved to ride his bike, play golf, and had been an active member of the Horseshoe Club at Westbrook Village in Peoria, AZ. He also enjoyed spending time with his wife Barbara, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Perry never met a stranger, loved his dog Buddy, was able to start-up a conversation with anyone, and he especially loved making people laugh at the silliest of jokes. He lived a fulfilling life surrounded by his loving family, friends, and his faith in God.

A Celebration of Life Service for Perry Gross will be held at Sunland Memorial Park at 15826 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ 85351 on Saturday, 2/24/24 at 10am followed by a reception. Family members encourage you to let them know if you will be in attendance.