Clarence was born October 18, 1930, to John and Rose Gross in Dupree SD, the youngest son of eleven siblings. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the military, just as his brothers did before him, but he was the first in the family to choose the United States Army as a career. During his first enlistment, while stationed in Austria, he met, and fell in love with Josefa (Eva) a Hungarian national displaced by the east/west division of Europe. Just prior to the outbreak of the Korean War, he married Eva, went through the official adoption process for her pre-school son Karl and had them flown to his unit's home post at Ft Carson, outside Colorado Springs, Colorado, Clarence soon shipped off to Korea and served in combat with his armored reconnaissance unit. Returning from his tour unscathed, Eva and Clarence began their own family together while maintaining his career in the Army.

In each of his reenlistments of his twenty-one years of service, he choose the combat arms; Armor, Infantry and Artillery He toured in harm's way in places like; Korea, SE Asia and Europe along the borders of the Russian led adversaries to the east. In 1967 he chose to be a drill instructor at Ft Bragg NC, teaching combat skills to the young men that fought in Vietnam. As a family, we went with him to many of his postings here in the United States; Colorado, Washington North Carolina to name a few and overseas locations like Germany and Italy. Shortly thereafter, in 1969, he retired honorably from the United States Army with full pension and benefits.

Clarence chose to settle in Denver, Colorado to be near his wife's parents whom emigrated there from Europe. He continued working in civilian life, bought a home and graduated from Barnes Business College. He volunteered as a Boy Scout commissioner for Denver Area Council, was an active member of VFW post 1. Clarence was an excellent provider and father to his family. Unfortunately , as what happens in many families after the children have grown, leave home and marry, Eva and Clarence grew apart and divorced in the mid 1990's. A few years afterwards, he decided to return to South Dakota so he could be close to his remaining siblings. It was here in the Black Hills, near Sturgis, that he purchased a place in Blucksburg, reconnected with his many relatives, built new friendships, continued his membership at the VFWpost in Sturgis and had many enjoyable visits from his youngest son Clark and grandson Eisen.

In 2006, Clarence met a wonderful woman named Margaret Brown; and began a new chapter in his life; the two enjoyed each other's company so immensely that they married two and a half years later. They shared many interests, went on road trips in and out of state to visit with family and acted as newlyweds should. In 2010, Clarence suffered a stroke that he had at first, quickly recovered from, but over the past two years, time and age had finally caught up and placed him to rest.

He is survived by the newest love in his life, his wife Margaret; his adopted son, Karl; his natural sons, Josef, Lee and Clark; along with five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Clarence is preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Eva.

There will be a graveside service at Black Hills National Cemetery, Friday, July 18, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Rene' Porter-Stewart officiating. Military Honors will be provided by Sturgis Honor Guard.

Condolences can be sent directly to: Margaret Brown, 2340 East Ave. AptE20 Sturgis, SD 57785.

Or to: The Gross Family c/o Clark Gross 7685 S. Everett St. Littleton, CO 80128.