Ronald Ross

Ronald Ross, age 82, “slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God” in the wee hours of Friday, March 11, 2016 with his best girl by his side, at the East Kentucky Veterans Center in Hazard.  Ronald was born September 24, 1933 in Louellen, Kentucky to Ruth Ross and Claud Rhea, and later was adopted and raised by his grandparents Jim and Caroline Ross.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one sister, Vivian Ross.

Ronald was a 1954 graduate of Harlan High School and attended Eastern State Teacher’s College until the lure of hunting season caught him.  In 1957 he joined the U.S. Army and also married his wife Janis (Colley) Ross. They then spent the next two years serving his country in Verdun France.  Ron worked for Langley and Morgan Construction then L & M Corporation from which he retired to the south side of Pine Mountain to his “Higher Ground”.  He was a lover of Bluegrass Music, hunting, and fishing.

Surviving are his wife, Janis Colley Ross; daughter, Tracy Cathryn Ross Forester of Harlan; brother Don (Peggy) Ross of Loyall; grandchildren, Sarah (Joseph) Cahill of York, PA and Tyler Ross Zell of Richmond, KY; great-granddaughter, Madeline Cahill; nieces and nephew, Donna Ross Smith, Jimmy Ross, and Ruth Diane Cox; great-nephews Britt and Corey Ross; and special friends, Charles Berger and Frank Samuels.  His Fellow Green Dragon Friends and Bluegrass Music and Hunting Buddies will also mourn his passing.

Visitation will be held Sunday, March 13, 2016 from 2:00-4:00 PM in the chapel of Anderson-Laws and Jones funeral Home.

Graveside services will be Monday, March 14, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Resthaven Cemetery in Keith, KY.  The Ven. Bryant Kibler, Sr. will officiate the services.   Britt Ross, Corey Ross, Mark Doss, Lonnie Burkhart, Virgil Gary Maiden, Alton Vicars, and Joseph Cahill will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorial contribution be made for Alzheimer’s research at the University of Kentucky, checks payable to Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Foundation, 138 Leader Avenue, Lexington, KY  40536 or to further the education of a Harlan Green Dragon with checks payable to Harlan Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 791, Harlan, KY  40831 in memory of Ronald Ross, Class of ‘54.

Anderson-Laws and Jones Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Ronald Ross.  Please share a photo or memory at www.aljfh.com.