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Kevin Gross was born June 27, 1971, in The Dalles, Ore., and passed from this world on March 14, 2018, in Jacksonville, Ark., while serving with the active Army National Guard. He was 46 at the time of his passing.
He was educated in the Dufur and The Dalles school districts, graduating from The Dalles High School, class of 1989. Â He entered the U.S. Army in January 1990 and served in Operation Desert Storm, returning to the states and serving out his tour at Ft. McClellan, Ala.
Over the next several years, Kevin returned to military service and went back to civilian life, only to once again go back to active duty. Â Eventually, he decided to make the military his full-time career. At the time of his death, he had 27 years of service, rising from the rank of private to staff sergeant, then converting to the officer corps where he obtained the rank of major.
While serving full-time and going to school at night, Kevin received a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Colorado Christian University in 2003 and a Masters of Art from American Military University in 2014. In June 2017, he graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, an accomplishment of which he was especially proud.
Kevin met Hannah Heimke in Hawaii when he was stationed at Schofield Barracks. Â They were married on March 14, 1998, in Pueblo, Colo. Over time, three daughters came into the family.
During his career, Kevin served at duty stations ranging from Hawaii to Virginia.
With his family he served at seven installations in five states. He and his family enjoyed discovering new parts of the country, whether it be historic sites, scenic landscapes, or a new brew pub.
Kevin served a one- year tour of duty in Iraq in 2006-2007 as a platoon leader in a transportation unit.
In his youth, Kevin played saxophone in the high school pep band and enjoyed 4-H and FFA activities, showing both dairy goats and hogs. Â Â He was president of his high school FFA chapter and attended the national FAA conference one year in Kansas City.
As an adult, he enjoyed scuba diving, brewing beer, motorcycles, reading, target shooting, and running. Â He competed in numerous events, including 10-K runs and Ragnor Relays, as well as running three marathons, the last one being the Marine Corps Marathon in 2016.
He was a member of the American Legion and VFW and was active in their motorcycle riders groups, taking part in Patriot Guard escorts as well as fun runs.
Kevin was a man of deep faith and made church a high priority at every stop along the way. He was enroute to his office at Camp Robinson from a weekly men’s breakfast Bible study at the time of his death.
A funeral service was held at the family’s church and he was honored at a military ceremony by his unit at Camp Robinson.  Kevin will receive a military burial at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Ore. There will be a celebration of life service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in The Dalles on April 8, 2018, at 2 p.m.
Kevin is survived by his wife Hannah; daughters, Savannah, 17, Chloe, 14 and Ramona, 3 all of Jacksonville, Ark.; father David, Dufur, Ore.; brother Karl Houston, Texas; sisters, Kris, The Dalles, and Kolleen, Portland, Ore.; inlaws, David and Donna Heimke; sister-in-law, Heidi Adams, all of White Salmon, Wash. Â He was preceded in death by his mother Karen in 1992.
Donations in Kevin’s name may be made to Feed my Starving Children (a charity he was actively involved in) at www.2018foodfight.com.
And now be at peace Kevin: husband, father, son, and brother. Â Be at peace.
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