George Thomas Gros

New-Iberia - George Thomas Gros entered into eternal rest on December 20, 2008. He passed away peacefully in his home in the loving arms of his wife and sons, surrounded by his cherished family after a hard fought and courageous battle with cancer. Born February 14, 1947 in Crowley, LA., George was the eldest child of Lilly Sumrall and Leroy Gros. A life long resident of New Iberia he was a 1965 graduate of Catholic High School. A gifted athlete, he excelled in several sports and was a member of the State Championship Football Team. Away from the athletic field he demonstrated leadership skills in the classroom and student government. During this time he met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Carol Spiller and they began a 46 year journey together. George was a graduate of USL with a degree in Biology. He began his career as a science teacher at New Iberia Middle School and upon obtaining a Masters Degree he became an assistant principal for 11 years. A strong proponent of education and athletics he gave freely of his time serving as President of the Iberia Teachers Association and as a volunteer coach for the football team. Upon leaving the field of education, George went to work in the oilfield where he made many friends over the years. For the past 28 years he was employed as a salesman for Thomas Tools (WH Energy) and was currently sales manager for LA., a position he held at the time of his death. Always a believer in giving back to the community George was elected to and served on the Iberia Parish Council for 28 years. Those privileged to have served with him knew him for his honesty, integrity and one who truly had the courage of his convictions. George was a force to be reckoned with in every setting, both personal and professional. Whether it was raising his sons, negotiating contracts or dealing with governmental agencies, he expected the best from everyone and cared deeply for those who cared for him. He was an example of moral and ethical leadership to his peers. There was no greater reward for those who knew George than to have earned his respect. George had many interests including golfing, fishing, cooking, traveling and reading. He was a WWII history buff and was particularly interested in the history of the 101st Airborne, of which his father was a member. George was proud to have been named an honorary member of the C-506 company by the surviving members of the Normandy Invasion. However, his most treasured interest was spending time with family, friends and most importantly his granddaughters, Isabelle and Charlotte. He relished the role of Pappy. He is survived by his wife Carol Spiller Gros of New Iberia; two sons, Thomas P. Gros and his wife Shannon of Chandler, TX; Kevin M. Gros and his wife, Nano of Thibodaux, LA; one brother, Billy Gros, sisters, Barbara Tuite and her husband Patrick; Jeanie Gros and Sandra Henderson all of New Iberia; two grandchildren, Isabelle Grace Gros of Chandler, TX and Charlotte Karen Gros of Thibodaux, LA. A special aunt and uncle, Jackie and Seth Sumrall of Morgan City also survive him. Honored to serve as pallbearers are George and Carol's nieces and nephews and their spouses. Funeral Services will be held at 4 pm on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at St Peter Catholic Church with Msgr. Keith DeRouen officiating and Deacon Jim Moss assisting. Visiting hours will be observed at the funeral home from 5 to 10 pm on Monday, with a rosary at 7 pm and continue from 11am to 3:30 pm on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the George Gros Bone Marrow Drive or the Sisters of Mt. Carmel and Brothers of Catholic High. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, New Iberia, LA 70562 is in charge of arrangements. Eulogy The Friday night before George went to Houston for his bone marrow recycling he visited with us on the Porch. We all had a good time in spite of the collective and obvious angst that joined us in the house that night. When George left I followed him outside. As always he was in control of his body and emotions - I was stooped shoulder, teary eyed, and my voice was cracking. He looked at me struggling for words and said simply - Manes, I'll be OK - I'll be OK. He turned and left. Today George is OK - now it is only us that hurt. Today we are here to acknowledge the hurt and commit to the helping and holding of each other as we work through the long process of healing. The good news is that we will heal. We'll always hurt some but we will all heal. We will smile, live, and love again. Carol, Tommy, Shannon, Isabelle, Kevin, Nano, Charlotte, family and friends - welcome to this celebration of George's life and the beginning of our therapy for our grief. We will prevail and in a time and place called eternity we'll see George again. First on behalf of George's family I'd like to thank each of you in this church and those that aren't here for every kindness offered - for the prayers, words of support, gifts, and cards. You have made the unbearable tolerable. Without you or better yet without each other, none of us would ever get through this type of challenge. On behalf of the folks here I commit to Carol and the boys and their families - we are here for you. We will continue our love for you and George and we'll be here for you in dark moments that will follow and the times of great joy that will return. There is life after death - for George and for us. This I believe and promise. For the next 15 minutes I'll attempt to capture in words George's nearly 62 years of life and the spirit and strength that was him. Many years ago at Paul Cyr's wake a priest spoke glowingly about the deceased. As he finished I went back to the coffin to see who was in there because the person described was not the Paul I knew. Today - my words I hope will accurately reflect the George I know and loved, will give each of you a framework for your own thoughts and feelings and ultimately will provide an acceptable final word picture of a very private man. Consider this a safe place and process for all of us to cry, smile, laugh, love, and release the feelings that have been boiling inside of us since we first learned George has cancer. The late Fran Spain often talked about her relationship with her husband. On their 50th wedding anniversary she complained, You never tell me you love me. He responded, On our wedding day I told you I loved you. If that ever changes I'll let you know. Like Mr. Spain - George was a man of few words. From early in a relationship with George, you'd learn where you stood. If it changed and it rarely did, he'd tell you. In these final days - George made peace with a few folks and it was good for him and them. George, in one word, was authentic. What you saw is what you got. George's life made the full circle of Cajun Country - from Hopkins Street School, to Catholic High, to USL and finally to life on Hilltop Circle, George's life was rooted on the bayou. To understand George and many of his contemporaries we must look beyond the geography of our houses and into the families that were our homes. We, as young boys, were loved and nurtured by our Mommas. They raised and prepared us for the world and protected us from harm and our Daddies. They understood the importance of family, friendship, and faith. They made many sacrifices for our good and for their community. They showed us what life could be. We were supported and loved by our Daddies. Our Daddies for the most part, however, were distant - they were life and battle hardened combat veterans. They had seen and lived through a great depression, a World War, and a life that included fighting and killing, hard work, limited options and much responsibility. They lived with their nose to the grindstone, their shoulder to the wheel, and with their eye on the ball and a stiff upper lip. They never complained; they just did what had to be done. About life they taught us, It is what it is. We loved our Mommas and were often intimidated by our Daddies. In the end we have emulated these Daddies more then we thought possible and much more than we'd like to admit. We were given love but not socialized to express it. Even today we struggle with expressing our feelings and love. We are often challenged to receive this same love. For George this dichotomy of life and love were extremely important in his self definition. Lilly nurtured this son, supported his efforts, and was a key to his growth and success. Leroy was distant - a stern and intimidating figure in a relationship that was never as George hoped it would be. George and Leroy were two spirits - often similar in style (both hard headed) rarely connected in substance. As a teenager, George was defined by his athleticism and leadership skills. He could do it all on any field of competition whether baseball, basketball, football or track - George would excel. His integrity, intensity, presence, and confidence translated into a natural leadership style that won him many friends, more followers, and much admiration. He was as authentic then as he is today. He was George. In Lloyd Porter and McNaspy stadiums on football game nights some things were certain - the national anthem would play, George would push his helmet back on his head, bend at the waist, and he'd leave his supper and his best effort on the field. During these same years there was a talented, beautiful, popular, athletic, young lady named Carol. She was a Snow White type character that could have had any of the dwarfs or Prince Charming but from the beginning she chose Grumpy and they lived happily ever after. Even now happy memories will prevail. And someday in the future she'll be awakend from this moments' sad dream by a kiss from George. In the biography of George's life - we must start with family. He and Carol early on made a good couple. Through George's experience as a school teacher he knew that increasing the grade of one person in a group would raise the average of the whole. With this in mind - George worked to make their marriage great - by improving Carol. He spent much time directing and instructing Carol on what to do and how to do it. This worked - George and Carol grew into a great family. To the boys - Thomas and Kevin - your Daddy loved you and worked hard to raise you right. He struggled with balancing his strong personal standards - being stern - with a concern that he might be too harsh. In his very private way he told me years ago I worry that I might be too hard on the boys. It really bothered him. Your Momma told me of some of your exploits and the extremes she went to cover your mischief from your Daddy. Kevin you almost became an only child. Tommy you owe your Momma big time. Had he found out all you did his concerns about stern would have gone out the window - along with each of you. Isabelle and Charlotte - as you get older your Daddies will tell you stories of George. Listen well he was a good and interesting character. I regret that George didn't have more time to know y'all - I'd bet you two precious little girls could have softened Old Grumpy into a Captain Kangaroo or Mister Rogers type character. Barbara you were his rock - his safe port in the stormy past of a family he loved but couldn't always relate to. Billy, Sandy, and Jeanne - I'm guessing at times you may have envied George because it appeared he had it all. I believe that he envied you because you had the relationship with his Daddy that he so desperately wanted. As a teacher and school administrator - he touched many lives. From David Daly who said he was the best to an African American neighbor who when learning of George's condition was visibly shaken - she said I loved Mr. George - I had a crush on that man. Maybe To Sir with Love was actually biographical. As I mentioned in the opening - too often in Eulogies it is easy to let the truth be sacrificed on the altar of hyperbole. George was not perfect - in some areas of his life he was an absolute failure. As a young man he wasn't a party animal - he couldn't run with the big dogs when it came to vices - drinking and gambling. He failed the big drinking test when he couldn't keep the pace at his own bachelor party. His Waterloo as a gambler occurred the weekend he lost 11 of 12 bets on Football. It's unfortunate because during these times Buster - then the ultimate party animal - could have served as his personal trainer in both areas of need. Lloyd Nicholson mentioned another weakness - he wasn't that good a politician. Lloyd lies - George was a horrible politician but he won anyway. George became a great elected official without ever mastering the art of lying or political correctness. The following story Lloyd swears is true. In the name of full disclosure I must remind you that one sentence ago, I explained that Lloyd lies. When George was running for state representative, Lloyd the Democrat was taking George the Republican through the Morbiham Community to introduce him around. At the home of a black family that had always supported Lloyd - he knocked on the door and the woman of the house yelled out, Whose there? Lloyd responded, A member of the Klan and a Republican. The lady shouted back - The Klan member can come in but the Republican needs to stay on the porch. George went in anyway and after the folks met him - they supported a Republican for the first time in their life. George the friend is easy to describe. You could find no better. His friends loved him and he - in his own way - loved us. I've seen more guys crying today then when Alabama beat LSU in overtime a few weeks ago. At the Saturday Morning Coffee Club - George joined Mary and Sylvia in providing adult supervision. From Mary's he'd often venture to Squirrel Run for his other addiction - Golf with a foursome that more closely resembled a mix of the 3 Stooges and the Little Rascals than it did real golfers. In fact this group was so weak that it took about 8 regulars to fill four seats in two carts. Rumor has it that George could hit the ball as long as Buster can hit it wide. Buster said that on a long ball George had the power of Tiger Woods, but he didn't have the soft touch needed. I disagree - George had to have a soft touch to play with you clowns. In the end his golf playing got so bad that Kevin intervened. Kevin told his Dad - maybe it's time you found another sport. George nodded agreement. Beyond golf and family George had other passions. My favorite was his cooking. It was great. He was an accomplished chef - yet chef is overkill when discussing someone who prepares rooster gumbo. His ultimate obsession was that of Military Historian. George became an expert in his Dad's World War II unit, their war experiences, and the lives of the members of that unit in their post war world. George's death for me personally has more impact than the loss of other very good friends. Those who knew me as a teenager will understand. Y'all recognize that I was not the confident, comfortable, and near perfect package I am today. Some of you might have seen me as shy, awkward, clumsy, uncomfortable, and confused. In today's vernacular and in my mind's eye I was a loser. For this reason the George I remember most is the one I knew in high school - George, the antithesis of me. George - was # 22 on the football field, the self-assured class leader, the guy with the girl friend and the confidence to prevail. He was my hero. Now I stand near his coffin and ask myself and each of you, What do you do when your hero dies? I am honored to have been George's friend, I was reinforced in myself because he acknowledged me and now I - maybe like some of you - feel a little more vulnerable or even diminished in his death. What do we do when our heroes die? Please allow me now the opportunity to offer a last word picture that I believe only Norman Rockwell could paint. Picture if you will George approaching the pearly gates. The gates swing open and a proud warrior - an Airborne Ranger - a Screaming Eagle - named Leroy - marches out in full dress uniform to greet this new recruit. Picture these two kindred spirits finally embracing or better yet collapsing into each others arms for the first time in their adult lives - no more battle of wills - relaxing even celebrating their love as father and son. Two bodies standing erect as two souls become one. Finally George will feel the all important touch of his Daddy's hand. This, in my mind, is heaven. As we close this service, let me suggest that we march out of church today and commit to attacking the remainder of our lives with the passion, energy, faith, and conviction of our fathers as they stormed the beaches at Normandy. Let us not be deterred by the disappointment and defeats that are part of life's everyday battles. Let us prevail - let us find for ourselves, our families, our friends and our future that all important peace and freedom. It's worth fighting for. George we salute you! May George rest in Peace and may we all find Peace as we rest. God bless us all! End George Gros I've known George since he was in the 7th grade. He was always-even at an early age- one of the most highly principled people I've ever known-whether in his personal life, or his public life, or his business life. He never wavered from his principles- He always tried to do "the right thing". And that he did...more than most people I've known. George was a wonderful husband to Carol, a great dad to Tommy and Kevin, a terrific father-in-law to Shannon and Nano, and, most recently-a doting grandfather to Isabelle and Charlotte. But George was more than that. He was fun. He loved life and participated fully - whether he was golfing with friends, skiing in Colorado, traveling to Europe, visiting WWII battlefields, or drinking with his future brother-in-law,me, the night before his wedding-with unintended consequences- which delayed his wedding for two hours. Thank you Carol for forgiving me that transgression. I don't think George ever went drinking with that brother-in-law again, after that episode. George's last days were very difficult, as most of you know. But he confronted his illness with the same courage, strength and determination he brought to every other phase of his life. His illness was just too much for George to overcome. But the way he confronted his illness was inspirational to our entire family. His courage, and that of Carol, Tommy, and Kevin during this ordeal- that was his illness, was truly remarkable. George has been a wonderful, vital and beloved member of the Spiller Family for over 40 years. He will be greatly missed. He left us far, far too soon. Sincerely, Dudley Spiller