John W. Ross Jr.

JOHN W. ROSS, JR. Merrillville, Indiana formerly of Miller Age 63, passed away at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart on Thursday, February 9, 2006. John was born May 28, 1942 to John W. Ross, Sr. and Martha Pearl Ross. He married Jonnie Ross on May 1, 1971. Preceded in death by his father, John W. Ross, Sr.; grandparents, Deleta and Detmer Wells and uncle, Detmer Wells, Jr. John is survived by his wife, Jonnie; 3 daughters, Diane, Donna and Delita; 2 grandsons, Bryan Moore and Elliot Mathews; 2 great granddaughters, Destiny and Zania; parents, Martha and Dennis Lear; 2 brothers, Ronald (Peggy) Lear and Rick (Yolanda) Lear; 4 nephews, Ronald Jr., Tobin (Julie), Ron-Ron and Little Rick; 3 nieces, Cortney, Krystal and Tiffany. John is also survived by his "special brothers", Earl, Neil, Det, Barron, Tips and Will. John grew up in Chicago and Richmond, Indiana. John retired from the city of Gary's Department of Law Enforcement. He was Mayor Richard Hatcher's bodyguard and served as a bodyguard for Coretta Scott King on one of her visits to Gary. John's great love was music. For the last fifteen years he owned Ross Music Productions and video. He had a cable access television program called "Creating Music" which he hosted and produced for ten years. He received a lifetime achievement award from "Night Life Magazine" for helping so many artists launch their careers. John played with many entertainers while playing in the group "Baby Huey and the Babysitters". Johnny Ross was a loving, kind and compassionate man who will be forever missed by his wife, family and friends. Rest in peace my love. Visitation will be at the Geisen Funeral Home, 7905 Broadway, Merrillville on Sunday, February 12, 2006, 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. Cremation to follow. A celebration of John's life will be held at a later date. Place and time will be announced. "Remember to keep on creating music....."