Donald R. Ross

Ross, Hon. Donald R.
Jun 8, 1922 - Dec 18, 2013

Judge Donald R. Ross, 91, passed away with his family at his side on December 18, 2013, following a long illness. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Janice Cook Ross, and his five children and their families: Jane and Randy Moody of Lincoln, Ken and Sharon Stephan of Lincoln, Rebecca Ross and Dennis Linder of River Forest, IL, Joannie and Tom Wilson of Omaha and Dean and Sharon Ross of Omaha. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Judge Ross was born near Orleans, Nebraska, and attended high school at the Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis, graduating in 1939. He attended the University of Nebraska (1939-41) and the University of Nebraska College of Law (1946-48). In October 1942 he entered the Army Air Corps and flew 46 missions as the lead bombardier with the 306th Bomb Group from 1943-45. He was promoted to Major and was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
He practiced law in Lexington, Nebraska, with Cook & Ross, and was elected mayor of Lexington in 1953. He was appointed by President Eisenhower as U.S. Attorney for Nebraska and served from 1953-56. He practiced law with Swarr, May, Royce, Smith, Andersen and Ross from 1956-71. He served as vice president and general counsel for ConAgra from 1969-71.
Prior to his appointment to the bench he was active in state and national Republican politics, serving as Republican National Committeeman for Nebraska from 1958-70 and as vice chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1965-70. In 1971, he was appointed by President Nixon to serve as U.S. Circuit Judge for the 8th Circuit; he served as an active and senior circuit judge for 31 years.
Judge Ross' remains will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be planned by the court at a later date. A scholarship in Judge Ross' honor has been established at the University of Nebraska College of Law; memorial gifts may be directed to it through the University of Nebraska Foundation, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Lincoln, NE 68508. JOHN A. GENTLEMAN MORTUARIES
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