Jake met the love of his life, Tara Marie Finley in 2010 and united their families, Sarah Purcell, Parker, Dallas and Dillyn Finley. They then welcomed Austin Michael Gross on July 18th, 2011 to complete their family. Jake and Tara finally made things official, bless Jake’s heart he asked her twice, but finally united in Marriage on October 30th, 2021.
Jake grew up in Hartshorn, MO, and attended Summersville School. He was saved at an early age and was a member of Valley Center Church, in Hartshorn MO. Jake grew up helping his Father build and repair cars. He had an extensive work history with the Conservation Department. He created bear traps to help preserve the bear’s habitat and monitor the bear population. Then he returned to doing what he loved, working on cars.
Jake enjoyed hunting in general, fishing, building and working on cars and engines. He enjoyed coaching and encouraging his son in various sports. Jake was currently building his own Muzzle Loader to prepare for the season. He had various hobbies including beekeeping, raising chickens and most recently breeding Beagles. Jake loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed sharing his hobbies with his friends including tapping trees for syrup, causing mischief at ballgames and running the backroads.
Jake was preceded in death by, his father, Allen Jay Gross (Jake); grandparents James and Betty Gross and Norman and Marie Powell; mother and father-in-law, Marilyn and George Howell; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Surviving Jake are his loving wife Tara Marie Gross; children Sarah Purcell, Austin Gross, Parker, Dallas and Dillyn Finley; mother, Janet Gross; father-in-law, Donald Evans; sister, Jessica Gross; brother and sister-in-law, Shannon and David Trokey; brother-in-law, Donny Evans; brother and sister-in-law, Diane and John Meisner; nephews Tyler Gross, Tucker and Trapper Durham, David and Jeremy Evans and Markie Hamilton; nieces, Amber Meisner, Layla and Adalyn Evans, Scarlett and Ella Trokey; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and so many friends.
Jake was as stubborn and tough as they come but loved his family more than anything. He took pride in taking care of his own. He will be dearly missed.
In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests donations be made in Jake’s memory be made to Bradford Funeral Home.
Funeral Service: Bradford Funeral Home, Summersville, MO
Interment: Antioch Cemetery, Hartshorn, MO 65479
