Charles Clinton "Red" Gross, 71, passed away Thursday, July 3, 2014 surrounded by his family at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

He was born Aug. 27, 1942, in Monette, Arkansas, son of Charles Cecil Gross and Frances Marie Gross (Gibbar).

He attended the First Assembly of God Church in Charleston, was a 1960 graduate of Anniston High School, and worked on the river until being drafted into service for his country in 1966. Clinton entered basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and was stationed at Fort Rucker in Alabama, before he was transferred to Fort Huachuca in Arizona. There, he became crew chief on the Grumman OV-1 Mohawk reconnaissance airplane.

After service, Clinton worked on the river for Upper Mississippi Towing Corporation until he began working for Marshall Lands, Inc. He worked there until retirement.

On July 14, 1963 he married Dessie Brown who survives of Charleston.

In addition, Clinton is survived by one son, Clinton (Tammy) Gross of Paducah; two grandchildren, Levi Gross and Lexy Gross of Paducah; two sisters Doris Gross of Sikeston and Mildred Smith of East Prairie; four brothers, Curtis (Elsie) Gross of Grassy, Alvin (Lin) Gross of Norfolk, Nebraska, Dennis (Sandy) Gross of Bertrand, and Darrell Gross of East Prairie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Rachel Gross, grandson Joshua Gross, and brother-in-law Jim Smith.

Clinton left his family with dozens of vibrant, hilarious and hard memories they'll never forget, and would never want to. He set an example of what it means to be strong and have an unfaltering character. Clinton made friends with people of entirely opposite personalities; he pushed past old prejudices and accepted ideas he once fought.

With his passing, Clinton was content spiritually and physically. He no longer faced the illnesses that plagued his body for years. He no longer wondered if there was a God who would accept the mistakes of his past. He was no longer tired after a long day of dialysis and would no longer be troubled by bad health.

His family will miss the quick wit, the short eye rolls and the sarcastic laughs. They'll miss him at holidays, birthdays and anniversaries. But most of all, his family is content ¬– for they know Clinton will never again face the trials he did on this Earth.

Visitation will be held at the McMikle Funeral Home from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 6, 2014, where funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 7 2014, with Rev. Gerald Penn, pastor of the First Assembly of God Church in Charleston, officiating.

Missouri Military Honor Guard will conduct graveside rites at the IOOF Cemetery. Interment will follow under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.