Alvin "Al" Leroy Gass

Alvin (Al) Leroy Gass, of Fletcher, NC, passed away on January 17, 2021. Al was born in Danville, PA on June 20, 1939 to Leroy and Evelyn Gass. He lived in Irish Valley and Shamokin, PA until his marriage to Marian Bingaman in 1966. Al is survived by his wife; daughter Debbi and husband Eric of Hillsborough, NC; and son David and wife Leigh of Santa Clara, CA; and his three granddaughters, Rachel, Sarah, and Nola.

Al started his education in a one-room schoolhouse and later graduated from Shamokin Area High School. He attended preparatory school at Wyoming Seminary and then proudly served in the US Army from 1959-1962. He was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge #255 in Shamokin. Al earned a BA in Accounting from Husson College and worked as a controller for GTE and Nypro. He was a pioneer in adopting technology in the workplace and this spilled over to his family by having the latest computers at home in the early 1980s.

Al grew up on a farm in rural Pennsylvania and loved the outdoors! He was an avid fisherman and hunter and further developed his outdoor skills through scouting. He supported his son and daughter extensively in scouts, including their achievement of the highest levels of Eagle Scout and The Gold Award, and held leadership positions in The Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA. Al was always there to provide scout troops with guidance, humor, and encouragement during countless camping trips throughout the Carolinas. When not scouting, Al’s passion for fishing took him to the nearby Lake Julian or Lake Hartwell where he spent many weekends with his family to fish, water ski, cook on the campfire, and just have a good time!

Al had a lifelong desire to learn and enjoyed reading, traveling, the arts, cooking, and listening to the perspectives of others. He read many different types of books about history, culture, and religion as well as fiction for leisure. He was an active member of Skyland United Methodist Church for over 40 years.

Al studied the Bible thoroughly and enjoyed sharing his knowledge of its concepts and teachings with others, as well as expanding his own understanding through interactions with his family, friends, and by participating or, many times, leading study groups. Al was known as being both steadfast and open-minded. This was evident in how he changed his views over the years and questioned long-standing traditions given his constant search for the truth, which is rooted in his trust and faith in God who loves all people equally.

A private memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to Skyland UMC, PO Box 697, Skyland, NC 28776 and specify in memory of Al; or Girl Scouts of the USA, https://www.girlscouts.org/en/adults/donate/donate.html and specify in the applicable fields in memorial for Al Gass and with notification sent to David Gass at dagc3a@gmail.com.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.