Charles Robert Gross, age 40, of Westlake, La. passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. 

Charles was born to parents Christopher Smith and Stephanie Dupuis in Lake Charles, La., on November 20,1982. He and his parents moved frequently as his father, Joseph Gross, was in the military. He graduated highschool in 2001 in Columbia, S.C., and later enlisted in the Army as an infantryman. He served three tours in Iraq and earned the Combat Infantryman Badge. He was honorably discharged in 2008. 

Charles was known to have quite a few hobbies, including: Dungeons and Dragons, woodworking, gunsmithing, cooking and making his friends and family laugh. 

He is predeceased by his biological father, Christopher Smith; his maternal grandfather, Michael Dupuis; his paternal grandfather, Austin Gross; and his paternal grandparents, Dr. Joseph and Valerie Smith.

Charles memory will be fondly cherished by his mother, Stephanie Dupuis; his father,Joseph Gross; maternal grandmother, Catherine Dupuis and paternal grandmother Martha Gross; his sisters, Angela Bennett(Brandon), and Chelsea Lemen(Samuel), niece, Amelia and a host of aunts, uncles and family friends who will miss him dearly. 

A celebration of life will be held Friday, August 18, 2023, at Hixson Funeral Home 3001 Ryan St. Lake Charles, LA, 70601 beginning at 1 p.m. until the time of service at 2 p.m. 

The family asks in lieu of flowers that friends and family donate to k9sforwarriors.org and hfotusa.org in honor of Charles.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.JEHixson.com for the Gross-Dupuis family.