The Fort Atkinson Lions Club has presented its 25th Melvin Jones Fellowship to a longtime member who epitomizes the civic organization’s motto, “We Serve.”
Recipient Donald E. Gross has been active in civic, cultural and social organizations that promote the community, all traits that fulfill the objectives of Lions.
Humanitarian service is the goal of all Lions, and the Melvin Jones Fellowship is the highest form of recognition conferred by Lions Clubs International.
It is named as a tribute to the founder of Lions Club International. A Chicago insurance agent, Melvin Jones organized a group of area businessmen with the objective to expand their horizons and promote the betterment of their communities and the world at large.
Melvin Jones was a man whose personal code was “You can’t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else” and the Lions motto is “We Serve.”
The Fort Atkinson Lions Club, which marked its 90th anniversary last February, recognized Gus Klatt with its first Melvin Jones Award in 1986. Since then, the club has so honored 24 more members, including Gross during last Monday evening’s meeting at the Legion Dugout.
“Whenever recognition takes place, it is always accomplished with the understanding that there are many deserving individuals in a club as large and active as ours,” stated Lion Tom Emrick during the award presentation. “It is always a challenging task for the committee to identify a recipient for this honor.
Emrick continued: “This honor is symbolized by such attributes as humanitarian and community services, generosity of time, talent, leadership and compassion, and concern for others. This year’s selection possesses the attributes in that of a Melvin Jones Fellow.”
A Fort Atkinson Lions Club member for 18 years and a past Lions Club president, Emrick said, Gross has has led by example, serving in key offices, chaired several committees, and provided the club with those necessary skills and leadership for the successful outcome of events.
After graduating from Fort Atkinson High School in 1965, Gross attended a six-month technical school for electronics. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force, and headed for basic training in June of 1966. After completing basic training, he attended military classes for radio repair and spent the next two years at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.
Receiving orders for overseas duty, he left in June 1969 for a one-year deployment. Upon his honorable discharge in June of 1970, he returned to Fort Atkinson and began working at Butler Manufacturing Co.
Then in 1971, he landed a job at Jefferson Radio and TV Clinic in Jefferson, which was later known as the Furniture and Appliance Center. Gross used the skills he received in his military service in his new career.
During this time, he also returned to school on the GI bill, earning an associate degree in electronics. After 20 years in the radio and television business, he bought the Fort Sew and Vac Center in December 1991, which he operated until December 2015.
Gross is an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson, serving as a Eucharistic minister and usher, Emrick noted. He is a past member of the Parish Council and volunteers for the monthly mobile food pantry hosted by St. Joseph’s.
He organized the church’s dart team and served as captain. He is an active member of the Knights of Columbus, having served as the grand knight, financial secretary and trustee.
In addition, Gross is member of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Jefferson County, serves as a member of its Honor Guard and is the chapter’s chaplain. He also organizes the members of the Vietnam Veterans for volunteer duty at the Jefferson County Fair.
Gross volunteers at St. Vincent De Paul Store in Fort Atkinson. His community involvement also includes the Jaycees, for which he served as president and district director and chaired several committees.
He is a past member of the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce and served on its board of directors and the retail committee. Additionally, he is the treasurer for the Bark River Woods Historical Society in Hebron, and a member of the Fort Atkinson Food Pantry Board of Directors.
Gross’ name will be added to an extensive list of all Melvin Jones Fellows on display in the Lions International Foundation room at Lions Clubs International headquarters in Oak Brook, Ill.
On Monday, his name was added to a plaque on the wall at the Legion Dugout in Fort Atkinson. Gross also received a personal plaque and Lions International pin, reserved for Melvin Jones Fellows.
As his name was read, the Lions present at the meeting stood and applauded as Gross walked to the front of the room.
“This is a real surprise. Thank you,” he said. “I am at a loss for words. It is such an honor to be recognized by Lions.”
He introduced his family members, who surprised him by being in attendance.
Gross and his wife, Olive, have been married for almost 53 years. They have three daughters, Tanya, Tammy and Tina, and sons-in-law Chad Price and Tom Brooks. They have three grandchildren, Kayla, Connor and Gabe.
To learn more about the Fort Atkinson Lions Club, visit www.eclubhouse.org/sites/fortatkinson, https://www.facebook.com/FortAtkinsonLionsClub, or call the club’s membership chair, Kevin Becker, at (920) 650-8005.
For Lions Clubs International information, visit www.lionsclubs.org.
Lion Tom Emrick reads the accomplishments of Melvin Jones Fellow Don Gross.
Lion Don Gross says a few words after being recognized as the Melvin Jones Fellow.
Don Gross is surrounded by his family following the award presentation. Pictured, from left to right are: front row: Olive Gross, Don Gross, Tanya Gross, and back Row: Connor Price, Chad Price, Tammy Price, Kayla Price and Tina Brooks. Not pictured are Tom and Gabe Brooks.
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