Alan L. Gross was born to Jewish parents from Chicago on 1-6-1947 in the Los Angeles area of Pacoima, California. His parents were Lilian Ettelson and Morris Gross and he had no siblings. He attended James Monroe High School and went on to the United States Army the day before his birthday on 1-5-1966. After serving almost 3 years in the Army, stationed in Germany, he became a Los Angeles County Sheriff, although living in Orange County. He worked the night shift and later became a supervisor at the Los Angeles County Jail. Alan got married to Janice in June of 1972, and then later had a daughter, Keri in 1976.
In 1979 or thereabouts, he attended Western State Law School and graduated cum laude, or an honors student with a Bachelor of Science in Law degree and became a Juris Doctor. He was admitted to the bar in 1981. He went on to receive many awards, including the “American Jurisprudence Award” in Torts, Evidence, Contracts, Agency, and Partnerships. He was distinguished for being on the honor roll as well. He was listed as a “Who’s who in American Universities,” in addition to being on the National Dean’s List and an Advocate in Honor’s Moot Court.
He went on to marry twice more. He had stepchildren in addition to his daughter.
Alan loved to lie out by the pool to tan and listen to oldies music. He also enjoyed video poker and cards. When he was living in his senior apartments complex, he knew practically everyone and had an active social life.
Unfortunately, he developed dementia due to Parkinson’s, and was cared for at a wonderful facility in Yorba Linda called ActivCare. We recently threw him a 78th birthday dinner with one of his great friends Gerry, myself his daughter, and my mom.
I admired the fact that he was so intelligent, the smartest person I knew, in addition to being very organized. He loved dogs as well, including Mike, Lisa, Sarah, and Nancy. Once he saw a dog in need in a park and came back to bring food and help.
He will be missed and remembered.
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