Larry Gross, longtime sports editor for the Chicago Defender newspaper, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 5 a.m. at Edward Hines Jr.Veteran’s Hospital, from complications of lung cancer. He was 59.
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Larry Gross, longtime sports editor for the Chicago Defender newspaper, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 5 a.m. at Edward Hines Jr.Veteran’s Hospital, from complications of lung cancer. He was 59.
Gross, a native of Salem, New Jersey, started at the Chicago Defender in August 1987. He covered every possible kind of sporting event for the newspaper, almost all of it as a daily. He was especially proud of his coverage of prep sports, particularly Chicago Public Schools. He also was a champion for the newspaper’s coverage of Little League baseball.
Larry grew up knowing that he wanted to be a sports writer. His sisters point out that while other kids were out playing, Larry was inside, writing about sports. He was most proud of his membership in the Baseball Writers Association of America.
“Larry’s passion was writing sports. Even when he was very, very ill, he came into the office to put together the sports pages. He said working on sports was what kept him going,” said Lou Ransom, executive editor of the Defender. “He was a walking encyclopedia of sports information, particularly baseball, which was his love.”
Gross, a Vietnam Veteran, will be buried back in New Jersey, but funeral arrangements are not yet complete.
A public viewing will be held Feb. 18 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gatlings Chapel, 10133 S. Halsted St. Gross will be buried in New Jersey. A memorial service is planned for early March in Chicago.
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