Remembering Jim Gross

First, a letter to Troop 514 from Mrs. Laurie Gross.

Now, from the Scoutmaster:

Working with me during my first year as Troop 514 Scoutmaster, Jim Gross frequently relied upon an expression when we struggled with seemingly tough situations.  "Life is too short," he'd tell me.  We'd be discussing some "critical" Scouting issue, talking about the different viewpoints, perspectives, opinions, concerns, worries and complaints and he'd sit back and declare, "y'know, Rich, life's too short."  As in "life's too short to spend a lot of time worrying about stuff that's really not worth worrying about."

He had a particular way of finding the right perspective -- at least to me.

Upon being selected the next Scoutmaster of Troop 514 by the Troop Committee, my first phone call was to Jim Gross.  Knowing his own Scoutmaster experience with Troop 514 I asked that he be my Scoutmaster Mentor.  Naturally, he readily agreed. 

For the next eighteen months we'd call, e-mail and meet. sometimes several times a week.  On the Friday before the Spring Camporee and less than 24 hours before God called him I talked to Jim about the upcoming Swim Checks at Pike HS.  I needed the contact info for the lifeguard he had made arrangements with.  When I returned from that campout Jim was gone . . .  but he had first sent me an e-mail with that exact information.

Simply put, Jim made this Troop happen.  He's irreplaceable, although I can now imagine him looking down at me, making a particularly funny face to disagree, suggesting "you're really over the top on this one, Mr. Gargas."  Oh, we'll pick things up, everyone will pitch in (everyone will need to) and we'll get by.  But it'll never be quite the same as it was with Mr. Gross at the helm.  He'll just have to accept my opinion on that!

When thinking of words to describe how I best remember Jim Gross, I didn't have to think long to recognize that he lived the Scout Law as well as anyone I know.  One of the neat things about the Scout Law is that there are twelve of them -- enough that there's always a couple to improve upon.  I really don't know if Jim had any weak spots.  Everyone I knew trusted him.  His loyalty and friendship were valued by many!  He helped at EVERY opportunity, even showing up to simply help me be two deep.  His courtesy helped the Troop attain valuable support from St. Monica Parish.  He treated everyone kindly and was known to recognize and obey the rules.  He always greeted me (and many others) with a warm handshake and a cheerful, "how's it going, buddy?"  He said it as if I were the only other person in the world. 

His Troop Committee leadership provided ample opportunities to be thrifty as well as brave -- like when working to achieve consensus or when taking strong stands based on principle.  His words and language were always clean.  And his push for the Scouts to earn Ad Altare Dei and other religious awards was clear signal of his respect for reverence.

I go through this list yet again . . . and still no weak spots.  In a quiet, unassuming and modest manner, Jim Gross very simply lived the Scout Law.  It is no wonder he left behind so many admirers.

So now one of Jim's favorite expressions turns into sad irony.  Jim did know "life is too short" and therefore chose to live it by consistently exhibiting the Scout Law.  In that way he was prepared for whenever God called, and He did.  The trails he leaves behind are extensive and many will follow in the wake of Mr. Gross' good work.  He did leave us too soon and would have helped lead many more.  For that we mourn.  And we will also pick up the slack and carry on his legacy.  It is right and proper to do so, for I do not think I've met a man as decent as Mr. Jim Gross.

The Scoutmaster