Austin Glenwood Gross

Austin Glenwood Gross (Whitey) 86 of Martinsburg, WV went home to be with his heavenly father on October 6, 2021. Whitey served on Active Duty with the United States Air Force. Whitey was employed with the Frederick Gas Company, and the United States Postal Service. He was the Postmaster for the Frederick Post Office, Frederick, MD, and then was promoted into the position of Superintendent of Postal Operations, and then served as Assistant Postmaster, Leesburg Post Office, Leesburg, VA. Whitey is survived by his loving wife Sylvia Jean Gross, Martinsburg, WV. They were married for 63 years. He is survived by his four children Ruthie L. Brandenburg and husband David, MD, James A. Gross, and wife Jennifer, Colonial Beach, VA, Alice M. Rose, and husband Emory, Hagerstown, MD, and Austin B. Gross, and wife Tina, Charles Town, WV. He has 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides family, he had two devoted friends Lelia and Roger Roark, Keedysville, MD. A large part of his life was spent at Riverbend Park Campground, Falling Waters, WV. Where he was known as “Poppa Smurf” or the “Camp Ground Mayor”. He loved riding around the campground on his golf cart, and in his early-years, he loved going out on his boat fishing, and then coming back and taking a nap in the hammock. He was always available to lend a helping hand to anyone in need around the campground. In his ladder years, he was the project leader for the development and construction of the Chapel at River Bend Park. Whitey was an avid storyteller, and loved to make people laugh, and laugh hard. His love for birds was exhibited by the many homemade birdhouses he built, and he would spend hours watching all his feathered friends from his camper porch. Whitey was proceeded in death by his father Austin B. Gross, mother Susan “Irene” Wachter-Wetzel, stepfather George Wetzel, and sister Patsy Irene Main. He is also survived by his sister Sally Faye Ausherman, Frederick, MD. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, 16 October 2021; at 2:00 p.m., at Mt. Calvary Church of God, 12340 National Pike, Clear Spring, MD 21722. The Reverend Billy Stitely will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, please send all donations to The Doey House, 11370 Caring Pathway Lane Hagerstown, MD 21742, Hospice of Washington County, MD.