Walter Ross
November 7, 1923 - March 9, 2020
EL RENO
Walter L. Ross, 96 years young, was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, the third of seven children of Henry Ross and Marie Decker Ross. Friends and family called him Wege, or Wegie. To his grandchildren he was Grandad, or Grandad Boop. His greeting to them in infancy and childhood was a big smile and a tap of the forefinger, punctuated by the sound "boop" - the sign that they were special, and dearly loved.
Growing up in Chickasha, he attended St. Joseph's School. He worked in the family store, Ross Seed Co. - loading and unloading trucks with his brothers, and making deliveries after class. In World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps manning a radio ranging station on a small island off New Guinea, and later going to Occupied Japan after VJ Day.
After the war, he earned a degree in agronomy at Oklahoma A&M. He was a lifelong OSU sports fan and loyal alum. He was a member of the National Championship Crop Judging Team during his senior year.
As a returning GI, he brought an irreverent perspective on college life to go along with his solid work ethic. He and brother-in-law, J.C. Doak, listed their hometown as Bangor, Maine. Walter saw the humor in life, and the need for it.
In 1949 he founded a second Ross Seed Co. store - in El Reno, Oklahoma. Both the El Reno and Chickasha stores later added to their merchandise by affiliating with True Value Hardware. His children manage the two stores along with several of his grandchildren, continuing to serve Oklahomans as the family has for over 100 years.
In 1954 he married JoAnn Avant. He and Jodie raised four children in El Reno, attending innumerable school, piano, dance, and sporting events together. They shared in the life of the store, the Amity Club, and Sacred Heart parish for a too-short 44 years.
His father's example and his Catholic faith shaped Walter's life and work. As the owner of a seed, feed, and hardware store he aided farmers and townspeople in their livelihood, and their lives. He made friends along the way, gathering up stories which he loved to share, with their children and grandchildren in later years. He wanted everyone to leave the store feeling a little better than when they came in. He genuinely wanted to help people, not just sell to them. To those experiencing hard times he often said, "Catch up when you can." To the down and out, he quietly gave.
He was preceded in death by his parents; by his beloved wife, JoAnn; by his brothers, Joe Ross (wife Mary), Fr. Jim Ross, and Fr. Bill Ross; by his sisters, Mary Anne Doak (husband J.C.) and Janet Volzer (husband Elmer); and by his brother-in-law, Jim Avant.
He is survived by his sister Helen Von Feldt (husband Wayne); by sister-in-law Peggy Avant; by his children Susan Ross (husband Dr. Randy Brown), Tom Ross, Julie Ross-Martin (husband Mel), and Dr. Karen Ross (husband Dr. Dave Wilson); by his grandchildren Jake Brown (wife Anna), Katie Brown, David Brown, Tiffany Thorne (husband Blake), Dr. Cameron Ross, Mason Ross, Lauren Martin-Cummings (husband Bryce), Matt Martin, Sam Wilson, Luke Wilson, and Anna Grace Wilson; by great-grandchildren Emily, Caroline, Brooks, Paxton, Paisley, and Cooper; and by dozens of nieces and nephews and their families.
The family wants to express their gratitude to Walter's extraordinary caregivers who provided exceptional and loving care. We are also grateful to Russell-Murray Hospice for their outstanding care and assistance.
The Prayer Vigil will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 11th, at Huber-Benson Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 AM on Thursday, March 12th, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Memorials can be made to the Walter L. Ross Agronomy Scholarship Fund, at the OSU Foundation, The Lord's Harvest, or Sacred Heart Catholic Church/School.
Published in The Oklahoman on Mar. 11, 2020
________________________________________
Courtesy of the El Reno Tribune Wednesday March 11, 2020
Walter Ross
November 7, 1923 - March 9, 2020
Walter L. Ross, 96 years young, was born in Chickasha, Okla., the third of seven children of Henry Ross and Marie Decker Ross. Friends and family called him Wege or Wegie. To his grandchildren he was Grandad or Grandad Boop. His greeting to them in infancy and childhood was a big smile and a tap of the forefinger, punctuated by the sound βboopβ β the sign that they were special and dearly loved.
Growing up in Chickasha, he attended St. Josephβs School. He worked in the family store, Ross Seed Co. β loading and unloading trucks with his brothers, and making deliveries after class. In World War II he served in the Army Air Corps manning a radio ranging station on a small island off New Guinea, and later going to occupied Japan after VJ Day.
After the war he earned a degree in agronomy at Oklahoma A&M. He was a lifelong OSU sports fan and loyal alum. He was a member of the National Championship Crop Judging Team during his senior year.
As a returning GI, he brought an irreverent perspective on college life to go along with his solid work ethic. He and brother-in-law, J.C. Doak listed their hometown as Bangor, Maine. Walter saw the humor in life, and the need for it.
In 1949 he founded a second Ross Seed Co. store β in El Reno, Okla. Both the El Reno and Chickasha stores later added to their merchandise by affiliating with True Value Hardware. His children manage the two stores along with several of his grandchildren, continuing to serve Oklahomans as the family has for over 100 years.
In 1954 he married JoAnn Avant. He and Jodie raised four children in El Reno, attending innumerable school, piano, dance and sporting events together. They shared in the life of the store, the Amity Club and Sacred Heart parish for a too-short 44 years.
His fatherβs example and his Catholic faith shaped Walterβs life and work. As the owner of a seed, feed and hardware store, he aided farmers and townspeople in their livelihood, and their lives. He made friends along the way, gathering up stories which he loved to share with their children and grandchildren in later years. He wanted everyone to leave the store feeling a little better than when they came in. He genuinely wanted to help people, not just sell to them. To those experiencing hard times he often said, βCatch up when you can.β To the down and out, he quietly gave.
He was preceded in death by his parents; by his beloved wife, JoAnn; by his brothers, Joe Ross (wife Mary), Fr. Jim Ross and Fr. Bill Ross; by his sisters, Mary Anne Doak (husband J.C.) and Janet Volzer (husband Elmer); and by his brother-in-law, Jim Avant.
He is survived by his sister, Helen Von Feldt (husband Wayne); by sister-in-law, Peggy Avant; by his children, Susan Ross (husband Dr. Randy Brown), Tom Ross, Julie Ross-Martin (husband Mel) and Dr. Karen Ross (husband Dr. Dave Wilson); by his grandchildren, Jake Brown (wife Anna), Katie Brown, David Brown, Tiffany Thorne (husband Blake), Dr. Cameron Ross, Mason Ross, Lauren Martin-Cummings (husband Bryce), Matt Martin, Sam Wilson, Luke Wilson and Anna Grace Wilson; by great-grandchildren, Emily, Caroline, Brooks, Paxton, Paisley and Cooper; and by dozens of nieces and nephews and their families.
The family wants to express their gratitude to Walterβs extraordinary caregivers who provided exceptional and loving care. We are also grateful to Russell-Murray Hospice for their outstanding care and assistance.
The prayer vigil will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11 at Huber-Benson Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Memorials can be made to the Walter L. Ross Agronomy Scholarship Fund at the OSU Foundation, The Lordβs Harvest or Sacred Heart Catholic Church/School.
November 7, 1923 - March 9, 2020
EL RENO
Walter L. Ross, 96 years young, was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, the third of seven children of Henry Ross and Marie Decker Ross. Friends and family called him Wege, or Wegie. To his grandchildren he was Grandad, or Grandad Boop. His greeting to them in infancy and childhood was a big smile and a tap of the forefinger, punctuated by the sound "boop" - the sign that they were special, and dearly loved.
Growing up in Chickasha, he attended St. Joseph's School. He worked in the family store, Ross Seed Co. - loading and unloading trucks with his brothers, and making deliveries after class. In World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps manning a radio ranging station on a small island off New Guinea, and later going to Occupied Japan after VJ Day.
After the war, he earned a degree in agronomy at Oklahoma A&M. He was a lifelong OSU sports fan and loyal alum. He was a member of the National Championship Crop Judging Team during his senior year.
As a returning GI, he brought an irreverent perspective on college life to go along with his solid work ethic. He and brother-in-law, J.C. Doak, listed their hometown as Bangor, Maine. Walter saw the humor in life, and the need for it.
In 1949 he founded a second Ross Seed Co. store - in El Reno, Oklahoma. Both the El Reno and Chickasha stores later added to their merchandise by affiliating with True Value Hardware. His children manage the two stores along with several of his grandchildren, continuing to serve Oklahomans as the family has for over 100 years.
In 1954 he married JoAnn Avant. He and Jodie raised four children in El Reno, attending innumerable school, piano, dance, and sporting events together. They shared in the life of the store, the Amity Club, and Sacred Heart parish for a too-short 44 years.
His father's example and his Catholic faith shaped Walter's life and work. As the owner of a seed, feed, and hardware store he aided farmers and townspeople in their livelihood, and their lives. He made friends along the way, gathering up stories which he loved to share, with their children and grandchildren in later years. He wanted everyone to leave the store feeling a little better than when they came in. He genuinely wanted to help people, not just sell to them. To those experiencing hard times he often said, "Catch up when you can." To the down and out, he quietly gave.
He was preceded in death by his parents; by his beloved wife, JoAnn; by his brothers, Joe Ross (wife Mary), Fr. Jim Ross, and Fr. Bill Ross; by his sisters, Mary Anne Doak (husband J.C.) and Janet Volzer (husband Elmer); and by his brother-in-law, Jim Avant.
He is survived by his sister Helen Von Feldt (husband Wayne); by sister-in-law Peggy Avant; by his children Susan Ross (husband Dr. Randy Brown), Tom Ross, Julie Ross-Martin (husband Mel), and Dr. Karen Ross (husband Dr. Dave Wilson); by his grandchildren Jake Brown (wife Anna), Katie Brown, David Brown, Tiffany Thorne (husband Blake), Dr. Cameron Ross, Mason Ross, Lauren Martin-Cummings (husband Bryce), Matt Martin, Sam Wilson, Luke Wilson, and Anna Grace Wilson; by great-grandchildren Emily, Caroline, Brooks, Paxton, Paisley, and Cooper; and by dozens of nieces and nephews and their families.
The family wants to express their gratitude to Walter's extraordinary caregivers who provided exceptional and loving care. We are also grateful to Russell-Murray Hospice for their outstanding care and assistance.
The Prayer Vigil will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 11th, at Huber-Benson Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 AM on Thursday, March 12th, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Memorials can be made to the Walter L. Ross Agronomy Scholarship Fund, at the OSU Foundation, The Lord's Harvest, or Sacred Heart Catholic Church/School.
Published in The Oklahoman on Mar. 11, 2020
________________________________________
Courtesy of the El Reno Tribune Wednesday March 11, 2020
Walter Ross
November 7, 1923 - March 9, 2020
Walter L. Ross, 96 years young, was born in Chickasha, Okla., the third of seven children of Henry Ross and Marie Decker Ross. Friends and family called him Wege or Wegie. To his grandchildren he was Grandad or Grandad Boop. His greeting to them in infancy and childhood was a big smile and a tap of the forefinger, punctuated by the sound βboopβ β the sign that they were special and dearly loved.
Growing up in Chickasha, he attended St. Josephβs School. He worked in the family store, Ross Seed Co. β loading and unloading trucks with his brothers, and making deliveries after class. In World War II he served in the Army Air Corps manning a radio ranging station on a small island off New Guinea, and later going to occupied Japan after VJ Day.
After the war he earned a degree in agronomy at Oklahoma A&M. He was a lifelong OSU sports fan and loyal alum. He was a member of the National Championship Crop Judging Team during his senior year.
As a returning GI, he brought an irreverent perspective on college life to go along with his solid work ethic. He and brother-in-law, J.C. Doak listed their hometown as Bangor, Maine. Walter saw the humor in life, and the need for it.
In 1949 he founded a second Ross Seed Co. store β in El Reno, Okla. Both the El Reno and Chickasha stores later added to their merchandise by affiliating with True Value Hardware. His children manage the two stores along with several of his grandchildren, continuing to serve Oklahomans as the family has for over 100 years.
In 1954 he married JoAnn Avant. He and Jodie raised four children in El Reno, attending innumerable school, piano, dance and sporting events together. They shared in the life of the store, the Amity Club and Sacred Heart parish for a too-short 44 years.
His fatherβs example and his Catholic faith shaped Walterβs life and work. As the owner of a seed, feed and hardware store, he aided farmers and townspeople in their livelihood, and their lives. He made friends along the way, gathering up stories which he loved to share with their children and grandchildren in later years. He wanted everyone to leave the store feeling a little better than when they came in. He genuinely wanted to help people, not just sell to them. To those experiencing hard times he often said, βCatch up when you can.β To the down and out, he quietly gave.
He was preceded in death by his parents; by his beloved wife, JoAnn; by his brothers, Joe Ross (wife Mary), Fr. Jim Ross and Fr. Bill Ross; by his sisters, Mary Anne Doak (husband J.C.) and Janet Volzer (husband Elmer); and by his brother-in-law, Jim Avant.
He is survived by his sister, Helen Von Feldt (husband Wayne); by sister-in-law, Peggy Avant; by his children, Susan Ross (husband Dr. Randy Brown), Tom Ross, Julie Ross-Martin (husband Mel) and Dr. Karen Ross (husband Dr. Dave Wilson); by his grandchildren, Jake Brown (wife Anna), Katie Brown, David Brown, Tiffany Thorne (husband Blake), Dr. Cameron Ross, Mason Ross, Lauren Martin-Cummings (husband Bryce), Matt Martin, Sam Wilson, Luke Wilson and Anna Grace Wilson; by great-grandchildren, Emily, Caroline, Brooks, Paxton, Paisley and Cooper; and by dozens of nieces and nephews and their families.
The family wants to express their gratitude to Walterβs extraordinary caregivers who provided exceptional and loving care. We are also grateful to Russell-Murray Hospice for their outstanding care and assistance.
The prayer vigil will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11 at Huber-Benson Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Memorials can be made to the Walter L. Ross Agronomy Scholarship Fund at the OSU Foundation, The Lordβs Harvest or Sacred Heart Catholic Church/School.
Walter Ross
November 7, 1923 - March 9, 2020
EL RENO
Walter L. Ross, 96 years young, was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, the third of seven children of Henry Ross and Marie Decker Ross. Friends and family called him Wege, or Wegie. To his grandchildren he was Grandad, or Grandad Boop. His greeting to them in infancy and childhood was a big smile and a tap of the forefinger, punctuated by the sound "boop" - the sign that they were special, and dearly loved.
Growing up in Chickasha, he attended St. Joseph's School. He worked in the family store, Ross Seed Co. - loading and unloading trucks with his brothers, and making deliveries after class. In World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps manning a radio ranging station on a small island off New Guinea, and later going to Occupied Japan after VJ Day.
After the war, he earned a degree in agronomy at Oklahoma A&M. He was a lifelong OSU sports fan and loyal alum. He was a member of the National Championship Crop Judging Team during his senior year.
As a returning GI, he brought an irreverent perspective on college life to go along with his solid work ethic. He and brother-in-law, J.C. Doak, listed their hometown as Bangor, Maine. Walter saw the humor in life, and the need for it.
In 1949 he founded a second Ross Seed Co. store - in El Reno, Oklahoma. Both the El Reno and Chickasha stores later added to their merchandise by affiliating with True Value Hardware. His children manage the two stores along with several of his grandchildren, continuing to serve Oklahomans as the family has for over 100 years.
In 1954 he married JoAnn Avant. He and Jodie raised four children in El Reno, attending innumerable school, piano, dance, and sporting events together. They shared in the life of the store, the Amity Club, and Sacred Heart parish for a too-short 44 years.
His father's example and his Catholic faith shaped Walter's life and work. As the owner of a seed, feed, and hardware store he aided farmers and townspeople in their livelihood, and their lives. He made friends along the way, gathering up stories which he loved to share, with their children and grandchildren in later years. He wanted everyone to leave the store feeling a little better than when they came in. He genuinely wanted to help people, not just sell to them. To those experiencing hard times he often said, "Catch up when you can." To the down and out, he quietly gave.
He was preceded in death by his parents; by his beloved wife, JoAnn; by his brothers, Joe Ross (wife Mary), Fr. Jim Ross, and Fr. Bill Ross; by his sisters, Mary Anne Doak (husband J.C.) and Janet Volzer (husband Elmer); and by his brother-in-law, Jim Avant.
He is survived by his sister Helen Von Feldt (husband Wayne); by sister-in-law Peggy Avant; by his children Susan Ross (husband Dr. Randy Brown), Tom Ross, Julie Ross-Martin (husband Mel), and Dr. Karen Ross (husband Dr. Dave Wilson); by his grandchildren Jake Brown (wife Anna), Katie Brown, David Brown, Tiffany Thorne (husband Blake), Dr. Cameron Ross, Mason Ross, Lauren Martin-Cummings (husband Bryce), Matt Martin, Sam Wilson, Luke Wilson, and Anna Grace Wilson; by great-grandchildren Emily, Caroline, Brooks, Paxton, Paisley, and Cooper; and by dozens of nieces and nephews and their families.
The family wants to express their gratitude to Walter's extraordinary caregivers who provided exceptional and loving care. We are also grateful to Russell-Murray Hospice for their outstanding care and assistance.
The Prayer Vigil will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 11th, at Huber-Benson Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 AM on Thursday, March 12th, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Memorials can be made to the Walter L. Ross Agronomy Scholarship Fund, at the OSU Foundation, The Lord's Harvest, or Sacred Heart Catholic Church/School.
Published in The Oklahoman on Mar. 11, 2020
________________________________________
Courtesy of the El Reno Tribune Wednesday March 11, 2020
Walter Ross
November 7, 1923 - March 9, 2020
Walter L. Ross, 96 years young, was born in Chickasha, Okla., the third of seven children of Henry Ross and Marie Decker Ross. Friends and family called him Wege or Wegie. To his grandchildren he was Grandad or Grandad Boop. His greeting to them in infancy and childhood was a big smile and a tap of the forefinger, punctuated by the sound βboopβ β the sign that they were special and dearly loved.
Growing up in Chickasha, he attended St. Josephβs School. He worked in the family store, Ross Seed Co. β loading and unloading trucks with his brothers, and making deliveries after class. In World War II he served in the Army Air Corps manning a radio ranging station on a small island off New Guinea, and later going to occupied Japan after VJ Day.
After the war he earned a degree in agronomy at Oklahoma A&M. He was a lifelong OSU sports fan and loyal alum. He was a member of the National Championship Crop Judging Team during his senior year.
As a returning GI, he brought an irreverent perspective on college life to go along with his solid work ethic. He and brother-in-law, J.C. Doak listed their hometown as Bangor, Maine. Walter saw the humor in life, and the need for it.
In 1949 he founded a second Ross Seed Co. store β in El Reno, Okla. Both the El Reno and Chickasha stores later added to their merchandise by affiliating with True Value Hardware. His children manage the two stores along with several of his grandchildren, continuing to serve Oklahomans as the family has for over 100 years.
In 1954 he married JoAnn Avant. He and Jodie raised four children in El Reno, attending innumerable school, piano, dance and sporting events together. They shared in the life of the store, the Amity Club and Sacred Heart parish for a too-short 44 years.
His fatherβs example and his Catholic faith shaped Walterβs life and work. As the owner of a seed, feed and hardware store, he aided farmers and townspeople in their livelihood, and their lives. He made friends along the way, gathering up stories which he loved to share with their children and grandchildren in later years. He wanted everyone to leave the store feeling a little better than when they came in. He genuinely wanted to help people, not just sell to them. To those experiencing hard times he often said, βCatch up when you can.β To the down and out, he quietly gave.
He was preceded in death by his parents; by his beloved wife, JoAnn; by his brothers, Joe Ross (wife Mary), Fr. Jim Ross and Fr. Bill Ross; by his sisters, Mary Anne Doak (husband J.C.) and Janet Volzer (husband Elmer); and by his brother-in-law, Jim Avant.
He is survived by his sister, Helen Von Feldt (husband Wayne); by sister-in-law, Peggy Avant; by his children, Susan Ross (husband Dr. Randy Brown), Tom Ross, Julie Ross-Martin (husband Mel) and Dr. Karen Ross (husband Dr. Dave Wilson); by his grandchildren, Jake Brown (wife Anna), Katie Brown, David Brown, Tiffany Thorne (husband Blake), Dr. Cameron Ross, Mason Ross, Lauren Martin-Cummings (husband Bryce), Matt Martin, Sam Wilson, Luke Wilson and Anna Grace Wilson; by great-grandchildren, Emily, Caroline, Brooks, Paxton, Paisley and Cooper; and by dozens of nieces and nephews and their families.
The family wants to express their gratitude to Walterβs extraordinary caregivers who provided exceptional and loving care. We are also grateful to Russell-Murray Hospice for their outstanding care and assistance.
The prayer vigil will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11 at Huber-Benson Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Memorials can be made to the Walter L. Ross Agronomy Scholarship Fund at the OSU Foundation, The Lordβs Harvest or Sacred Heart Catholic Church/School.
November 7, 1923 - March 9, 2020
EL RENO
Walter L. Ross, 96 years young, was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, the third of seven children of Henry Ross and Marie Decker Ross. Friends and family called him Wege, or Wegie. To his grandchildren he was Grandad, or Grandad Boop. His greeting to them in infancy and childhood was a big smile and a tap of the forefinger, punctuated by the sound "boop" - the sign that they were special, and dearly loved.
Growing up in Chickasha, he attended St. Joseph's School. He worked in the family store, Ross Seed Co. - loading and unloading trucks with his brothers, and making deliveries after class. In World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps manning a radio ranging station on a small island off New Guinea, and later going to Occupied Japan after VJ Day.
After the war, he earned a degree in agronomy at Oklahoma A&M. He was a lifelong OSU sports fan and loyal alum. He was a member of the National Championship Crop Judging Team during his senior year.
As a returning GI, he brought an irreverent perspective on college life to go along with his solid work ethic. He and brother-in-law, J.C. Doak, listed their hometown as Bangor, Maine. Walter saw the humor in life, and the need for it.
In 1949 he founded a second Ross Seed Co. store - in El Reno, Oklahoma. Both the El Reno and Chickasha stores later added to their merchandise by affiliating with True Value Hardware. His children manage the two stores along with several of his grandchildren, continuing to serve Oklahomans as the family has for over 100 years.
In 1954 he married JoAnn Avant. He and Jodie raised four children in El Reno, attending innumerable school, piano, dance, and sporting events together. They shared in the life of the store, the Amity Club, and Sacred Heart parish for a too-short 44 years.
His father's example and his Catholic faith shaped Walter's life and work. As the owner of a seed, feed, and hardware store he aided farmers and townspeople in their livelihood, and their lives. He made friends along the way, gathering up stories which he loved to share, with their children and grandchildren in later years. He wanted everyone to leave the store feeling a little better than when they came in. He genuinely wanted to help people, not just sell to them. To those experiencing hard times he often said, "Catch up when you can." To the down and out, he quietly gave.
He was preceded in death by his parents; by his beloved wife, JoAnn; by his brothers, Joe Ross (wife Mary), Fr. Jim Ross, and Fr. Bill Ross; by his sisters, Mary Anne Doak (husband J.C.) and Janet Volzer (husband Elmer); and by his brother-in-law, Jim Avant.
He is survived by his sister Helen Von Feldt (husband Wayne); by sister-in-law Peggy Avant; by his children Susan Ross (husband Dr. Randy Brown), Tom Ross, Julie Ross-Martin (husband Mel), and Dr. Karen Ross (husband Dr. Dave Wilson); by his grandchildren Jake Brown (wife Anna), Katie Brown, David Brown, Tiffany Thorne (husband Blake), Dr. Cameron Ross, Mason Ross, Lauren Martin-Cummings (husband Bryce), Matt Martin, Sam Wilson, Luke Wilson, and Anna Grace Wilson; by great-grandchildren Emily, Caroline, Brooks, Paxton, Paisley, and Cooper; and by dozens of nieces and nephews and their families.
The family wants to express their gratitude to Walter's extraordinary caregivers who provided exceptional and loving care. We are also grateful to Russell-Murray Hospice for their outstanding care and assistance.
The Prayer Vigil will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 11th, at Huber-Benson Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 AM on Thursday, March 12th, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Memorials can be made to the Walter L. Ross Agronomy Scholarship Fund, at the OSU Foundation, The Lord's Harvest, or Sacred Heart Catholic Church/School.
Published in The Oklahoman on Mar. 11, 2020
________________________________________
Courtesy of the El Reno Tribune Wednesday March 11, 2020
Walter Ross
November 7, 1923 - March 9, 2020
Walter L. Ross, 96 years young, was born in Chickasha, Okla., the third of seven children of Henry Ross and Marie Decker Ross. Friends and family called him Wege or Wegie. To his grandchildren he was Grandad or Grandad Boop. His greeting to them in infancy and childhood was a big smile and a tap of the forefinger, punctuated by the sound βboopβ β the sign that they were special and dearly loved.
Growing up in Chickasha, he attended St. Josephβs School. He worked in the family store, Ross Seed Co. β loading and unloading trucks with his brothers, and making deliveries after class. In World War II he served in the Army Air Corps manning a radio ranging station on a small island off New Guinea, and later going to occupied Japan after VJ Day.
After the war he earned a degree in agronomy at Oklahoma A&M. He was a lifelong OSU sports fan and loyal alum. He was a member of the National Championship Crop Judging Team during his senior year.
As a returning GI, he brought an irreverent perspective on college life to go along with his solid work ethic. He and brother-in-law, J.C. Doak listed their hometown as Bangor, Maine. Walter saw the humor in life, and the need for it.
In 1949 he founded a second Ross Seed Co. store β in El Reno, Okla. Both the El Reno and Chickasha stores later added to their merchandise by affiliating with True Value Hardware. His children manage the two stores along with several of his grandchildren, continuing to serve Oklahomans as the family has for over 100 years.
In 1954 he married JoAnn Avant. He and Jodie raised four children in El Reno, attending innumerable school, piano, dance and sporting events together. They shared in the life of the store, the Amity Club and Sacred Heart parish for a too-short 44 years.
His fatherβs example and his Catholic faith shaped Walterβs life and work. As the owner of a seed, feed and hardware store, he aided farmers and townspeople in their livelihood, and their lives. He made friends along the way, gathering up stories which he loved to share with their children and grandchildren in later years. He wanted everyone to leave the store feeling a little better than when they came in. He genuinely wanted to help people, not just sell to them. To those experiencing hard times he often said, βCatch up when you can.β To the down and out, he quietly gave.
He was preceded in death by his parents; by his beloved wife, JoAnn; by his brothers, Joe Ross (wife Mary), Fr. Jim Ross and Fr. Bill Ross; by his sisters, Mary Anne Doak (husband J.C.) and Janet Volzer (husband Elmer); and by his brother-in-law, Jim Avant.
He is survived by his sister, Helen Von Feldt (husband Wayne); by sister-in-law, Peggy Avant; by his children, Susan Ross (husband Dr. Randy Brown), Tom Ross, Julie Ross-Martin (husband Mel) and Dr. Karen Ross (husband Dr. Dave Wilson); by his grandchildren, Jake Brown (wife Anna), Katie Brown, David Brown, Tiffany Thorne (husband Blake), Dr. Cameron Ross, Mason Ross, Lauren Martin-Cummings (husband Bryce), Matt Martin, Sam Wilson, Luke Wilson and Anna Grace Wilson; by great-grandchildren, Emily, Caroline, Brooks, Paxton, Paisley and Cooper; and by dozens of nieces and nephews and their families.
The family wants to express their gratitude to Walterβs extraordinary caregivers who provided exceptional and loving care. We are also grateful to Russell-Murray Hospice for their outstanding care and assistance.
The prayer vigil will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11 at Huber-Benson Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Memorials can be made to the Walter L. Ross Agronomy Scholarship Fund at the OSU Foundation, The Lordβs Harvest or Sacred Heart Catholic Church/School.
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