Jean-Luc Emile Grosso, Ph.D., 57, of Columbia, died unexpectedly, Tuesday, July 26, 2016. He was born in Brignoles, France on August 17, 1958. Dr. Grosso was the McDavid Professor of Business Administration at the University of South Carolina Sumter.

Jean-Luc received his Bachelor of Science degree in Economic and Quantitative Analysis, his Master of Science degree in Economic Analysis and International Economics, and his DEA (Master of Advanced Studies) degree in Economic Analysis and International Economics from the Université d'Aix-Marseille III, France. He received his Master of Arts degree in Economics from Virginia State University, and his Ph.D. in International Economics from the University of South Carolina.

Before beginning his teaching career in 1995, Jean-Luc worked as a Pricing and Competitive Analysis Program Manager at Bell Atlantic (Verizon) in Washington, D.C. .

"Jean-Luc was a devoted husband, father, friend, and mentor to scores of students over the years. He loved animals, history, caring for a saltwater aquarium, biking, and building models and dioramas of historical soldiers, boats, and planes. He also very much enjoyed cooking, travel, and watching Formula I racing, soccer, and most any other sport. He was deeply loved, so will be deeply missed."

Survivors include his loving wife of 33 years, Sherry Smith Grosso; son, Vincent Joseph-Lee Grosso of Williamsburg, VA; sister-in-law, Dr. Terrie Smith of Columbia, SC; cousins, Charles and Christine Bertino and their son Enzo of Vitrolles, France; nephew-in-law, Clifford Kofron, and his sons, Zeke and George. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph Jacques and Lucienne Audibert Grosso of Vitrolles, France, and his father and mother-in-law, Clifford Lee and Dorothy Ackerman Smith of Petersburg, VA.

A Mass of Christian Funeral will be held 10 o'clock, Saturday, August 6th, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 100 Polo Road, Columbia, with The Rev. Fr. C. Alexander McDonald officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church Parrish Hall. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family has established a scholarship fund in Dr. Grosso's name for students at USC Sumter. Donations can be mailed to: University of South Carolina, 1600 Hampton Street, Suite 736, Columbia, SC 29208, Attn: Loren Thouvenot. Please reference Dr. Grosso's name and Fund Number: B12064. For online donations, go to: https://giving.sc.edu/givenow.aspx (Select USC Sumter Campus, select 'optional specific project', select 'other', then type Dr. Grosso's name and Fund Number: B12064).

Dr. Grosso's family would like his friends, colleagues, and students to share a favorite memory on the Tribute Wall.