Stubborn, incorruptible, pointed. George Gros was a man who lived on the strength of his convictions. The longtime Iberia Parish councilman died this weekend after a battle with lymphoma. He was 61.
The Crowley native attended New Iberia Catholic High and USL, before becoming a science teacher at New Iberia Middle School. He went on to become assistant principal and coach, then took an oil service industry job at Thomas Tools. But the indelible mark he left on New Iberia was his stance on the parish council. Gros did his homework on the issues, and he was a stickler for understanding the nuances of -- and staying within -- budget.
He battled for years, often as the lone voice and only vote, to rid the parish of a mosquito control contract that proved to be far more beneficial to the contractor than parish residents. He oversaw years of parish landmark legislation, ran for the state Legislature, and only gave up his 28-year seat on the council when his health demanded his attention. His intelligence and guidance were a lodestar for Iberia Parish government and the community he loved.
Funeral services for Gros will be held at 4 p.m. today at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia.