Dr. Gary White Gross, an Athens physician who delivered thousands of babies in Limestone County, died Thursday, March 17, at his home surrounded by his wife, children and family. He was 65.

Gross was an OB/GYN who practiced in Athens for more than 38 years. Many have said he loved his patients, but more than that his patients loved him.

Patients have said Gross gave them hope and delivered blessings as a caring doctor and friend.

One doctor said he had an uncanny ability to be blunt with his patients in such a way that they did not take it personally.

“His patients knew that no matter how much he fussed at them about that Sugar Busters diet, that he had their best interest at heart. Any kind of problem they had, he would get to the bottom of it,” said his wife, Sherri Gross.

Gross was born August 4, 1945, in Athens to Wilburn and Elizabeth White Gross. He was a 1963 graduate of Athens High School, a 1966 graduate of Auburn University, and a 1970 graduate of the University of Alabama Medical School.

He completed his internship at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham in 1971 before returning to Athens to become a general practitioner from 1971-1972. He practiced for a year at which time he entered a three-year obstetrics and gynecology residency program at Tulane University/Charity Hospital in New Orleans. He would return to Athens in July 1975 to open his specialized practice. He was a partner with Dr. William Beasley for many years and worked with Dr. John Waddell in the Women’s Clinic. He was the first doctor in the Tennessee Valley to allow fathers in the delivery room and encouraged natural childbirth.

Gross reluctantly retired from the medical practice in January 2010 due to health complications. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July 2006. However, he worked an additional three years — a feat many have said is unbelievable.

Gross was married to Sherri Keyes Gross for 43 years. The couple was both high school and college sweethearts. They had two children, Gary Markham Gross and Sara Gross Lovell, and two granddaughters Riley and Bella Lovell. “He was a wonderful husband, wonderful dad and wonderful granddad,” Sherri Gross said. “You couldn’t ask for more. He loved us all so much. He supported us in anything we wanted to do.”

A pilot, biker, skier, coach, woodworker, avid golfer and Auburn Tigers supporter, Gross was said to be passionate about everything in which he was involved. He spent many days on the Elk River with his children or coaching them on the field.

“Golfing was his favorite thing in the latter years,” his wife said. “He enjoyed all his golfing buddies at Canebrake and was known by some affectionately as ‘Dr. Golf.’”

He was also involved in politics and attended President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration with his uncle Wilson White.

The doctor was said to be just as passionate about his country. He served in the Army Reserves while at UAB with the 251st Evacuation Hospital during Vietnam, but didn’t see combat. He completed service as a lieutenant colonel. He reenlisted at age 45 in June 1990 and was assigned to serve with the 75th Field Hospital Unit. It was a little more than a month before Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait and Desert Storm began. He served overseas for three months. “The support of the community was just incredible then as it has been for years,” Sherri Gross said.

Gross was also a faithful Christian, she said, and a member of Valley Church.

“He made family everywhere he went,” she said. “He had so many friends.”

She added that she couldn’t begin to mention everyone that has impacted their lives throughout the years and the family feels extremely blessed.

“He has been lifted up in prayer for these four and a half years by so many in the churches and in the community,” said Sherri Gross. His family said they are so appreciative of that and all the acts of kindnesses during this time. God blessed him tremendously, according to his family.

It has been said Gross was quiet and reserved, but that his actions revealed his true self.

His last selfless act was donating his body to medical research at the University of Alabama Birmingham. He wanted the research teams to be able find out more about his medical condition in order to help others, according to his family.

Dr. Gross was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors, in addition to Sherri, include son, Gary Markham Gross of Nashville, Tenn.; one daughter, Sara Gross Lovell and husband Chip Lovell of Athens; two granddaughters, Riley Lovell and Bella Lovell; two sisters, Gayla Gross Coleman and husband Bob of Whitney, Texas; Linda Gross Romine and husband Maurice of Madison; one brother, Wilburn Dale Gross and wife Mary of Melbourne, Fla.; mother-in-law, Bernice Keyes of Athens and her late husband Hubbard Keyes; two brothers-in-law, Richard Keyes and wife Malinda of Rogersville; Bill Keyes and wife Peggy of Athens; stepmother, Bertha Knight Gross of Somerville; stepbrothers, Jerry Knight and wife Jane of Decatur, Phil Knight and wife Karen of Somerville, and Mark Knight and wife Sheila of Jasper. He is also survived by several nephews, nieces, one aunt and a host of cousins.

Known for his determination, loyalty, and perseverance, Gross’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service at 1 p.m. Sunday at Lindsay Lane Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice of Limestone County, 405 South Marion Street, Athens, Al 35611; The Bridge at Valley Church, P.O. Box 1381, Athens, Al 35612; Auburn University Foundation: Gross Family Endowment for Scholarships, College of Science & Mathematics, 315 Roosevelt Concourse, COSAM Office of Development, Auburn, Al 36849; Russell Hill Cancer Foundation Inc, 3601 CCI Drive N.W., Suite 240, Huntsville, Al 35805.

The online Limestone Chapel Funeral Home guestbook can be signed at http://www.limestonechapel.com.