Thomas Edward Gross was born on December 15, 1946, to the late Anna Gross and raised by the late Leonard Leon and Mary E. Wilkerson of Salem, NJ. He received his education in Salem, NJ, and graduated in the class of 1966.

Thomas joined the marine Corp in 1967. He worked at Anchor Hocking in Salem, NJ. He later worked at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Vineland, NJ for 30 years.

Thomas was united in Holy Matrimony to Vicky B. Stewart on August 30, 1997.

Thomas leaves to cherish his memories; his wife Vicky B. Gross, one daughter Mary (Michael) Slaughter, 3 grandchildren; Fantasia Ransome, Nigel Ransome, Savanah Slaughter, 5 great grandchildren; James R. Atwell, Jr., Olajawaun Q. Logan, Jr., Kross S. Logan, Hy'Saan H. Logan, Ah'Nijah Ransome, mother-in-law Joyce Sheppard, 4 sisters-in-law; Sherry Stewart, Lisa Wright, Yolanda Martin, Novella (Donald) Price, one brother-in-law Lawrence Wright, Jr., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.