Thomas Irving Gross, Jr. also known as "Tom, Jr. or Cleo", 53, of Piney Point, MD died July 18, 2008 in Baltimore, MD. Born December 30, 1954 in Leonardtown, MD he was the son of Irene L. Gross of Piney Point, MD and the late Thomas I. Gross, Sr.

He is also survived by his children LaTasha Barnett of Waldorf, MD and Stephanie Barnett of Leonardtown, MD and his siblings; Mack Lawrence of Clinton, MD, David Lawrence of NJ, Gilbert Lawrence of Waldorf, MD, Donald Gross of Mechanicsville, MD, Steven Gross of California, MD, James Gross of Lexington Park, MD, Theresa Lawrence, Charlotte Gross and May Gross, all of Piney Point, MD, Geraldine Gross of Upper Marlboro, MD, Gloria Church of Clinton, MD and Wayne Lawrence of Cumberland, MD as well as six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A lifelong resident of St. Mary's County, he graduated from Great Mills High School "Class of 1973." He was employed as a painter for St. Mary's County Board of Education for 35 years. Thomas was a devoted son, brother, uncle and friend. He loved his family and friends, riding his motorcycle and enjoyed landscaping.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 from 10:00-11:00 AM in St. George Catholic Church, Valley Lee, MD where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM with Fr. Joseph Sileo officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mark's UAME Church Cemetery, Valley Lee, MD. Pallbearers will be Guy Mundy, James Spears, Brian Russell, Michael Berry, Irving Lawrence and Rhodie Stewart, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be John Morgan, Wayne Blackwell, Stevie Maddox, LeRoy Thompson, Jr. and Aloysius Jones.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.