OLATHE —  Christopher James Gross, 41, passed away July 5, 2014 at St. Joseph Medical Center from complications of his battle with brain cancer.
Chris was born June 16, 1973 in Hays.
He grew up in Larned, and later moved to the Kansas City area. Chris enlisted in the Army with the Kansas National Guard Reserves in October 1997, where he served in three deployments during his time in the service. He served one deployment in Kosovo in the year 2000 and two deployments in Iraq in 2004-2005 and again in 2007-2008. Chris was honorably discharged from service in July 2013. He was married to his wife Karen in 2007 and enjoyed life with their two Chocolate Labs, Bruno and Bella.   
Chris is survived by his wife Karen Gross of Olathe; mother, Joleen Wirtz, Wichita; father, Terry Gross, Topeka; sister, Tracy Byrd, Topeka; nephews, Jordan Byrd and Wyland Byrd and niece, Avery Byrd all of Topeka; paternal grandmother, Carol Gross, Larned; maternal grandfather, Joseph Wirtz, Ellinwood; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Leonard Gross, Larned; and his maternal grandmother, Joyce Wirtz, Ellinwood.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:30 a.m. on Friday, at St. Thomas More Parish, 11822 Holmes, in Kansas City, Mo., with burial following in Resurrection Cemetery, 8321 Quivira in Lenexa. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at St. Thomas More Parish, where the Rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association at www.abta.org, or 8550 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 550, Chicago, IL, 60631. Condolences may be left online at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com.  

Funeral arrangements provided by
McGilley State Line Chapel**
12301 State Line Road
Kansas City, MO, 64145
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, July 10, 2014