Michael Lynn Gross, 81 of Hixson, TN, passed away on Monday, February 24, 2025, surrounded by family at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, TN.

Mike was born in Chattanooga, TN on September 19, 1943. He was raised in White Oak, attended Red Bank and Kirkman High Schools, and obtained several vocational certifications.  He was a member of the Musicians Union in Nashville where he enjoyed playing the bass guitar with a band that performed in Printer's Alley and opened for Boots Randolph.  Mike was employed as a typesetter for the Chattanooga Times until the merger with the Free Press and later retired from Bunge Oil Inc. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Hixson.

Mike enjoyed Tennessee football, fishing, "tinkering" with any type of machinery, going to the shooting range, his dog, Tia, and picking up his grand girls from school after his retirement. Mike could fix or build anything and was the best handyman around.  He even built their family log home with the help of his carpenter father and electrician cousin.  He was a quiet man who could drop a one-liner that would leave the room in stitches, and was without a doubt, the smartest person in the room.

Mike was proceeded in death by his parents, Chester Everett and Lydia Jane Gross, his "Second" Mom-mother-in-law, "Junie" Hill of Hixson, his "favorite" brother-in-law, George Williams of Durham, NC, grandparents, Chester Ulus and Ida Legg Gross of Red Bank, and Paul and Hannah June Daniker of Hixson.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia Ann Gross; daughters Kristin Starnes of Marietta, and Jennifer Reading (Patrick) of Hixson; granddaughters Hannah McElheney (Connor) of Royal Oak, Michigan, Madison Delaney of Chattanooga, and Ashlynne Delaney of Hixson; and great-grandson Wilder McElheney.  He is also survived by his sister, Carol Williams of Durham, NC, his "favorite" sister-in-laws: Janine, Margie, Faye, and Pam, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family members.

The family would like to express a sincere appreciation to Mike's long-time physician and friend, Dr. Jeffrey Kemp, all of his CNAs and staff at Martin-Boyd Christian Home, and to the doctors, nurses, and chaplain in the NNICU at Erlanger Hospital for providing comfort for the family and helping Mike to transition peacefully from his long fight with Parkinson's Disease.

The family will receive friends from 11 AM to 1 PM Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at the funeral home.

A graveside service will be held at 2 PM Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at the Chattanooga Memorial Park with Joe Davis officiating.

2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343, (423) 531-3975.