Paul Gross

Caroline, Madeline, Carson, Ava, and Carlie

After graduating from Baker High School in 1971, I attended NC State University in Raleigh where I received my Bachelors Degree. After working for the State for 8 years, I went back to college part-time and got my MPA from NCSU in 1987. I worked for NC State Government for 30 1/2 years before retiring in 2005 as Controller for the NC Department of Correction. I went back to work with the Duke Clinical Research Institute Finance Department in 2009 and am still there. I am also a licensed Realtor.
I live with my wife and daughter in the Brier Creek Community near the RDU Airport and like to go to the NC beach every second or third weekend where I have a 2nd home that my oldest son built for me (he's a good son to his father). My oldest son is obviously a home builder at the NC Coast. My second son is a graduate of NCSU in Engineering and works for an Engineering firm in Apex, N.C. My young daughter, Cadence, is the joy of my life and can't get enough candy! I am married to a lovely and successful business woman in the Electronics Industry. We attend all the NC State home basketball and football games. We have a very active social life and lots of friends.
I have not returned to Columbus, GA since I graduated. Mom has passed away and Dad lives alone in Spring Hope, NC, about 1 hour away. My younger sister, Paula Gross (now Paula Lamm) lives on a 5 acre farm in Bailey NC. Paula left Baker in her Junior or Sophomore year, when Dad retired from the military and moved to North Carolina.
Having played basketball and baseball for Baker H.S., I was sadden to read of the passing of our Center, Lafaette Threat. I did not play sports at NCSU other than intramural. The classwork was challenging but I still found time to goof off, drink a little too much beer occasionally and take in some great college basketball when we won the 1974 NCAA championship with David Thompson and the Team that upset UCLA. I'm a fanatical NCSU fan and still enjoy a cold beer and sports whenever I can take a game in. I hope to hear from some of my classmates. Feel free to e-mail or call as I would welcome the correspondence from old classmates.
Best Wishes,
Paul Gross
"Cookie", Class of '71

Some may wonder how I got the nick name "Cookie" in High School. Well, JV basketball practice started early and I had to wait in the stands for 1 1/2 hours before Varsity Basketball started. Everyday I would walk across the street after school and buy 5-6 cookies out of the Lance jar and take back to the gym to snack on with some milk while the JV team practiced. I was always seen eating cookie in the stands, henceforth the name "Cookie" or "Cookieman."
I had some great teachers at BHS. I particularly remember the entry level typing teacher... all the athletes wanted to take her class because it was an easy A and she was easy on the eyes! I had great math, chemistry and US History teachers as well. I'll have to get out the yearbook to remember their names. As soon I as review my old yearbook, I'll come back to this profile and add some more.
Best Wishes,
Paul Gross
"Cookieman", Class of '71