David Daniel Stross

David Daniel Stross of St. Charles, Missouri, aged 73 years, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday evening the 5^th June 2017.    David was born on May 22, 1944 at the family home on Clay Street in St. Charles to Raymond George Stross Sr and Bessie Lorene Stross (nee Hammett) both deceased – 1987, 2000 respectively.  David was preceded in death by his brothers Arthur Vincent Stross in 2001 and Clarence Anthony Stross in 2003.  He is survived by his loving wife of more than 48 years, Carol Ann Stross (nee Gruenloh); son, Darren Daniel Stross of St. Charles; and daughter, Stacy Lynn Cronhardt (Chris), and grandchildren (who called him "Papa"), Ella Corinne  and Ian David all of Lee's Summit, Missouri.  David is also survived by siblings, Raymond (Sheila) Stross Jr of Loudonville, NY, Genevieve (Earl) Kennedy of St. Charles, Ralph Stross of St. Charles and Rida Brown of Carol Stream, IL

David grew up in St. Charles where he attended St. Peter Catholic Church and School.  He graduated from Duchesne High School in 1962 where he played basketball going to the state championships.  After school, David was employed by Rauch Lumber on North Main in downtown St. Charles.  A year later, he was hired by McDonnell Air Craft in St. Louis where he continued to work for McDonnell–Douglas\Boeing Aircraft for 46 years.

In 1965 David received his "Greetings..." Letter from Selective Service and served 2 years in the US Army, stationed in Frankfort, Germany, where he earned a Sharp Shooter award.  David served as a cook where he showcased his mother's pastry skills, providing fancy edged pie crusts to his fellow soldiers.

David was blessed with the skill of remembering the names, faces and details of hundreds of people he encountered and then being able to instantly recall them upon reuniting with them - sometimes more than 30 years later.  Everywhere David traveled he seemed to find someone that he knew.  Even though he was a quiet observer, David was not shy and would cordially greet and compliment those he met through his lifetime, shaking hands with the likes of Roy Orbison to Prince Charles.

Besides playing basketball, David was an avid baseball fan from childhood.  Raised by a father who pitched in the Hard Road League, he started out in Little League, played softball in his 20s and later taught his daughter how to catch a hard throw from third in the low August afternoon sun as well as take the outside shot while shooting hoops.  Like the rest of his family, David was a devoted St. Louis Baseball Cardinals fan and almost never missed a home World Series game.  During a day game in the '82 series, George Brett, who was seated behind him, wrote Dave's boss a note excusing him from missing work that day.

David enjoyed nature and often spent hours sitting on the front porch reading the paper from cover to cover while sipping coffee and listening to the birds sing.  He was also immensely supportive and proud of his children's and grandchildren's talents and achievements.  He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his many friends and family.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society.