Obituary of James E. Ross

Funeral Services for James Edward "Jim" Ross of Elsberry, MO, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Rev. Paul Garven, pastor of the Elsberry United Methodist Church, will officiate with burial in the Elsberry City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Cole Brower, Brendan Ross, Ross Brower, Molly Ross, Bill DeGerlia, Richard Green, Frankie Teasley, Larry Black, David Colbert, Don Beck, Charles Waggoner, Bill Anderson, Pat Mesker, Dick Stewart, Connie McMillin, Jimmy Jeans and Jim Howard. Mr. Ross, 82, passed away Friday evening, October 18, 2013 at St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles, MO. Born December 26, 1930 in Elsberry, he was the son of Winn Davis "Red" and Margie Kesterke Ross. Raised from the age of seven months by his grandparents, Tandy Chatman "Chat" and Sadie Belle Ross, Jim was a lifelong resident of Elsberry and graduated from Elsberry High School in 1949. He served his country during the Korean Conflict as a Radio Operator in the U.S. Army from March 19, 1952 until February 25, 1954, and was in the Army Reserves for eight years after being Honorably Discharged from active service. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, a Good Conduct Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He was united in marriage on July 21, 1956 in Elsberry to Joyce Aline Davis. This union was blessed with two children, James Eric and Allison Renee. He worked for a time at the Wells Lamont Glove Factory, and was employed for 35 years at McDonnell-Douglas (now Boeing) in St. Louis, retiring as an aircraft inspector in June, 1990. Jim was a member of the Elsberry United Methodist Church, where he served on the Board of Trustees for twenty years (and was chairman for many years), was a Sunday School teacher for several years, was Treasurer for the Sunday School for twenty-six years, and for the past several years handled the sound system during worship services. He was a faithful worker in his church wherever there was a need… like changing light bulbs continuously, checking to see that heat/AC were turned off and all doors locked each time the church was used, doing maintenance at the church and church parsonage or hired someone to do it, unlocking the building for events or meetings, and the list goes on and on. Jim was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend to many. Jim was a member of the American Legion Post #226 in Elsberry, a member of the Elsberry VFW Post #9064, and a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers – Lodge #837B in St. Louis for 57 years. He used to enjoy playing golf (or playing at it), but his passion was fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Winn "Red" Ross and Margie Ross Creech; his grandparents "Mom & Pop", Chat and Sadie Ross; and his cousin, Ava Nell Ross (who was like a sister to him). Jim is survived his beloved wife of 57 years, Joyce Ross of Elsberry; one son, Jim Ross and his wife, Stacey, of Louisiana, MO; one daughter, Allison Brower and her significant other, Sid West, of Montgomery City, MO; and four grandchildren: Cole James Brower, Brendan James Ross, Ross Anthony Brower and Molly Noelle Ross. He also leaves one sister, Georgia Ann Cushman and her husband, Dave, of Myrtle Creek, OR; one sister-in-law, Elaine Goewey of Elsberry; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many, many friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday, October 21, 2013 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to the Elsberry United Methodist Church in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 South Fifth Street, Elsberry, MO 63343.