Marcellus Gross Obituary

Marcellus Gross (90) - Marc, Marcy, Uncle Pete, Daddy, Papaw, Sweetheart, Pops, Coach – passed into the arms of Jesus on May 18, 2025. He was born in Nashville, Arkansas to McKinley and Gordie Gross. He graduated from Texas High in Texarkana. After one year at Texas A&M University, he returned home to marry his high school sweetheart, Darlene Cullins, on June 17, 1956. They moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he attended the University of Arkansas and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1960.
After graduation, they moved to Little Rock where Marc worked for the Arkansas Highway Department designing bridges and highways throughout Arkansas. He then worked for Farmers Home Administration for 30 years, where he was responsible for developing and overseeing the water and sewer infrastructures throughout Arkansas. He received many letters of recognition from community leaders for his exceptional work and was given special recognition by the Governor for his work on the Two-Ton water project in Northwest Arkansas. After retirement, Marc worked for FEMA where he helped cities and individuals get federal funding for repairs after natural disasters. He was elected to the Society of Professional Engineers and The Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineering.
Marc accepted Jesus as his Savior at the age of 15. He served as a Deacon in Baptist Churches for 60 years as well as teaching youth and adult Sunday School Classes. He also led in the design and building of several Baptist Churches and painted baptistry scenes for five different churches.
Marc and Darlene loved camping with family and their church friends. He coached his daughter's youth and church softball teams and is admired by many of his former players. He also enjoyed hunting and building projects with his son and taking his children and grandchildren fishing.
Marc is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Bill, Bob, and Harold; and his sister, Mary Evelyn White. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Darlene; children, Mike (Tammy) and Donna Achor (John); granddaughters, Meleah Minard (Alan) and Mallory Allison (Jeff); two great grandsons, Beckett and Boston Allison; along with three bonus grandchildren and one bonus great granddaughter.
His celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 23rd, 2025, at 11:30 A.M. at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home in Bryant, Arkansas with the Rev. John Owen and the Rev. Gary Lambright officiating. Burial to follow at Forest Hills Cemetery in Alexander, Arkansas. Visitation will be Thursday evening, May 22nd, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
Pallbearers are Ricky Gross, Jeff White, Lance Ford, Jeff Allison, Tony Garlington, Alan Minard, and Glenn Gross. Honorary pallbearer, Bill "Jr" Gross.
The family would like to thank his caregivers, especially Javon Chandler with Elder Independence Home Care and Hospice Home Care, for your kind and compassionate care.
Dial & Dudley Funeral Home