Donald David Gress gained his wings on August 19, 2023 at the UF Villages Hospital in Lady Lake, Florida, after a long battle with cancer due to his service with the Army in Vietnam as a pilot. His life began in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 31, 1941 born to his father Col. Kenneth L. Gress (ret.) and mother, Elizabeth C. Miller, both deceased. He follows his brother, Robert Gress and sister, Barbara Gress CSC (ret.), in death.

He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Barbara Phillips Gress also of Lady Lake, Florida, his two daughters, Dawn Gress, of Lady Lake, Florida and Heather Lee and son-in-law Shannon Lee, both of Rochelle, Illinois, 5 grandchildren, Blair Wilson of Gainesville, Florida, Forrest Wilson of Grand Island, Nebraska, James Cox, Savannah Mathis and her fiancé, Justin Diehl, of Cortland, Illinois and Sierra Mathis of Candler, Florida, and 1 great-grandchild, Faith Cox.

Donald will be missed by many and hailed as a true friend, co-worker, son, cousin, father, grandfather, uncle, husband and child of God.

We will never forget you.

May you rest among the angels and fly high with the eagles.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Belleview, Florida at 10:00 am on September 8th, 2023.

His ashes will be interred at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida on Tuesday, September 12th at 11:00 am.