Fred Gross

Fred Gross died Friday, May 16th at UCLA Medical Center just 3 days shy of his 61st birthday. For the last several months that he fought his battle against liver disease, he was surrounded by his family day and night. During this time, Fred tried to comfort his family as much as they tried to comfort him. Even when they would tell Fred they loved him, heÂ'd always say Â"I love you more.Â" They all found solace in being together. Fred fought hard to try and win this last race. Fred was born May 19, 1947 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Anna and Clarence Gross . . . he surely must have been born quickly because his love for speed and racing was also born that day! Fred is survived by his only brother, Maurice Gross, who is married to Mary Cruz Gross. In 1968, Fred married Lynn who remained the love of his life for forty years . . . celebrating their last anniversary together in the hospital. Fred and Lynn were not ones to pass up an opportunity to party . . . even just a little. If he could have, Fred would have swept Lynn off her feet and danced all night with his special date. Fred loved to dance. He was most famous for a particular dance move that his family affectionately referred to as Â"the butt!Â" Fred was the Captain of his life, as well as his boat, Mojito. Fred and Lynn took immense joy in boating and headed for the ocean whenever possible. They visited Puerta Vallarta, the Panama Canal, and then recently docked the boat in Marina Del Rey because Fred had plans to take his beautiful grandchildren on many ocean adventures.Fred and Lynn were parents to two very special children, Keith and Stacey and. Once the two kids were raised and married, loving attention was lavished on their 6 grandchildrenKeith and Jill Gross filled his life with three adorable grandkids; Sadie (12), Sarah (10), Cooper (5). Stacey and Chuck Borquez blessed Fred with three darling granddaughters: Charley (11), Katie (9), Ally (5). Fred delighted in family from the oldest to the youngest and everyone in between.Fred founded Valley Manufacturing and Engineering, Inc. in 1973. Although a very successful businessman, he never introduced himself as a business owner, but would simply refer to himself as a toolmaker . . . maybe part of the reason for his success, certainly part of his charm. His son, Keith, will continue Fred's legacy as he assumes the helm of the three-decade-old company. FredÂ's greatest passion was drag racing and was known as Fast Freddy by his racing buddies. If he could make something go faster, he would! He spent a lot of his time building his engines and machining his own parts. As a member of NHRA, he raced car # 7244 for all it was worth. When he wasnÂ't on the track, Fred could be seen racing light to light on the streets in his Chevrolet Lancer. A big kid himself, Grandpa Fred could often be found at family gathering with the kids jumping in the bounce house or launching the kids off huge inflatable slides! If he wasnÂ't playing outside, he would be watching animated films, his favorite, indoors with the grandkids.Leaving us was the only thing Fred did slowly. He didnÂ't want to miss a minute of life. While in the hospital, he told Lynn daily Â"I am not through with you yet.Â" But God called him, and he went . . . once answering the call, he probably broke the speed record into his new found heavenly freedom! Fred will be sorely missed . . . in his home, on the track, on the ocean, in his business . . . and forever in our hearts.

Tributes