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DR. JOHN R. ROSS
Dr. John R. Ross, 86, known as "Jack" or "Doc" to his many friends, died Wednesday, May 14, 2014, in his home. Jack was born on Jan. 31, 1928, in Wauseon to the late Florence Plettner Ross and Dr. Charles Ross.
He was a graduate of The Ohio State University and School of Dentistry, and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He practiced dentistry in Wauseon for 33 years. One of his patients was the "new school teacher in town," Martha Baden (Marty). They married in 1954, and she survives. They were beginning their 60th year together before his death.
First and foremost, Jack was a Buckeye fan. He planted a Buckeye tree in his backyard and carried the first "baby Buckeye" in his pants pocket. He had a passion for all things in nature, tending a large vegetable garden and hunting wild asparagus on the roadsides and Morel mushrooms in Michigan. He loved fishing on Lake Erie for walleye and perch, and fly fishing in Canada. He knew when to expect to see birds in his backyard as they flew from the south in the spring. Just days before his death, he announced the date he was expecting northern orioles to come through. Oranges were put out to lure the birds close to the back porch where Jack might observe them.Six beautiful orange and black orioles feasted on the oranges and gave Jack a beautiful farewell to birding. Jack traveled to over 100 countries in all seven continents to observe and photograph birds and animals. He recorded each sighting, and listed over 4,800 birds. For many years, he shared his photographs and travel tales in programs presented to schools and other organizations.
He loved to read, and music was always a pleasure to him, whether listening or playing piano or the trumpet, or singing. His first vocal performance at the age of nine was in a school operetta, where he played Prince Charming to Cinderella. At that same early age he was peering over the bridge table as his parents played nightly games of bridge with their friends. He played bridge through the years, and belonged to the American Contract Bridge League.
His children and wife joined in all his exploits -a kid comes in handy jumping over a creek to collect a wild asparagus stalk!
He loved being a Grandpa to Max, Jack, and Alex. He had a great time through the years watching them play in every kind of sport. He will be so missed.
He is also survived by his children, Gwen Ross and Kristi Ross of Columbus, and Dr. Eric Ross of Crystal River, Fla.; grandsons, Max Minnillo of Columbia, S.C., and Jack Minnillo and Alex Minnillo of Columbus; and his brother, Tom (Carol) Ross of Lincoln, Calif.
He was also preceded in death by his two youngest children, a baby girl and Elizabeth Ann "Buffy" Ross.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wauseon, with the Rev. Jennifer Herrmann officiating. Interment will be in Wauseon Union Cemetery.
Visitation for Jack will be held 4-8 p.m. Monday, May 19, 2014. at Edgar-Grisier Funeral Home in Wauseon.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Community Health Professionals Hospice, the New Pool 4 Wauseon, the Wauseon Public Library, or the charity of the donor's choice.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.grisierfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
My heart goes out to you. I also lost my father several months ago. Your father was the first dentist I ever went to as a child (many years ago, I'm 64) - perhaps one of his very first patients. I remember him as a warm, thoughtful, and considerate person who would try to make me laugh. And I still remember his desk drawer full of little plaster animals that we got as a reward!
Linda von Seggern
June 4, 2014
Gwen and Kristi,
So sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. It sounds like he was quite a guy, which doesn't surprise us considering he had a lot to do with you two!
We miss you both and hope to re-connect soon. You can reach us at [email protected] or 216-215-7753.
Mike & Martha Sudsina
May 20, 2014
Condolences Ross family. I will keep you in prayer. John 5:28
May 17, 2014
Dear Marty. A true friend for 80 years from our childhood ,Jack's,"eternal summer shall not fade".(From Shakespeare) . Our thoughts are with you . Don and Barbara Watkins, New York
May 16, 2014
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Edgar-Grisier Funeral Home - Wauseon219 S. Fulton St., Wauseon, OH 43567
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