York Bryan Gross was born to the union of Floyd Ray Gross and Barbara Jean (Boatman) Gross on June 24, 1961, at Travis AFB, California. He departed this life in Clovis, California on August 6, 2010, at the age of 49 after a courageous battle with kidney cancer.

He received his early education at schools in California, Taiwan, Mississippi, and Panama. He graduated from Cabrillo Senior High School in Lompoc, CA in 1979 and from University of California at Santa Barbara in 1983 with a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies. York excelled in Academics and was a gifted learner. He spoke several languages fluently.

After graduating from college, York played professional basketball for teams in Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands. There he met many friends and while in the Netherlands, he learned to speak Dutch. His basketball career ended after sustaining a knee injury. York then devoted himself to serving the Lord as an Evangelist and writer. He loved to write letters of encouragement and even received a response to one of his letters from President Obama. York also loved to converse with people (family, friends, and any person he met). You could always expect a "cheer up" call from York, which usually included sharing God's word.

York accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Lompoc.

York was a devoted son, brother, uncle, and friend. He enjoyed his family, friends, going to Surf Beach, all sports (he was an avid sport fan who knew well the games of football, basketball, baseball, and tennis) and sharing the Word of God. He rejoiced in discussing Jesus with everyone he met. He was a thoughtful Evangelist full of insight regarding the Word and never stopped spreading the good news!

Left to cherish his memories are: his parents, Floyd and Barbara Gross (Clovis, CA); his sisters – Yasmyne Brewer (Fresno, CA), Anne Ayankoya (El Cerrito, CA) and Ava Gross-Paramo (Lompoc, CA); his brother-in-laws – James Brewer and Joseph Ayankoya; his nieces – Evayon Henson, Jamie, Julia, and Jennifer Brewer (Fresno, CA), Josephine and Sade Ayankoya, Ashley Jackson (Richmond, CA); a nephew – Peter Paramo (Lompoc, CA); and a host of other relatives and many friends.

The visitation will be on Sunday, August 15, from 4-7 pm at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. Pastor Paul Goeller and Jim McIntyre will conduct the funeral service on Monday, August 16, at 11 am at Calvary Baptist Church, 3355 Constellation Road in Vandenberg Village. Interment will be in the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers remembrances can be made to Optimal Hospice Care, 4700 Stockdale Hwy., Suite #120, Bakersfield, CA 93309 or to The American Cancer Society, 1710 Webster St., Oakland, CA 94612-3448.