Garry Dean Gross

Garry Dean Gross, age 82, of Gering, Nebraska, passed away Monday, November 2, 2026, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. His funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, November 6, 2026, at Calvary Memorial Church in Gering with Pastor Gary Hashley officiating. Burial will follow at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering. Visitation will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Reverence Funeral Parlor in Scottsbluff. Memorials may be made in care of the family for later designation. The service will be livestreamed and recorded on Garry’s obituary page, viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Garry was born on July 6, 1944, in Scottsbluff, to John A. and Irene Lucille (Hoffman) Gross. He was a World War II baby and was two years old before he met his father, who was serving in Okinawa, Japan.

Garry was a farmer at heart, spending many years working the land alongside his father and later his son, Sean. He retired from farming in 1985 and began a new chapter with Ecolab, where he worked until his retirement. Garry took pride in every job he did. He passed that work ethic on to his children, and it is one of the traits they admired most about him.

On December 11, 1966, Garry married Patricia Meter, whom he had known since meeting her at Melbeta High School where he was a star football player. The couple would have celebrated 60 years of marriage this December.

Garry’s family was his pride and joy. Nothing made him prouder than his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and he never missed a chance to tell people about them. Over the years he traveled countless miles to watch volleyball, wrestling, football, basketball, soccer, and track, and those games were his favorite place to be. His kids and grandkids came about their athletic ability naturally as Garry was a tremendous athlete, especially excelling in football. Garry loved the Huskers, loved Elvis even more, and never minded trying his luck at the slots now and then.

He was blessed with lifelong friends. Garry remained close with Gene Koenig, whom he had known since childhood. The two were so close that many people thought they were brothers. Through Ecolab he met Rick Wagoner, whom he called his best friend. Rick and Nancy became part of Garry’s family, and he treasured their friendship.

Garry is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Patricia; his children, Sean Gross, Deana (Scott) Spreier, Melissa (Monty) Zeiler, and Ryan (Beth) Gross; his grandchildren, Jennifer Henkel, Jordan Gross, Kaylee Brown, Brittney Spreier, William Schwartzkopf III, Alysha Schwartzkopf, Collin Schwartzkopf, Travis Zeiler, and Jillian, Evan, Gracin, and Meagan Barger; his great-grandchildren, Zayla Nichols, Zaydean Schwartzkopf, and Kason Schwartzkopf; his sisters, Shirley Conn and Carole Gross; his father-in-law, Robert Meter; and his brother-in-law, Robin (Kristi) Meter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Irene Gross; his brothers, Donald (Donna) and Ronald Gross; his mother-in-law, Emma Meter; his sister-in-law, Cindi Meter; and niece, Jeri Lea Prieels.