Charles Ross

Charles Landon (Lanny) Ross left this earth after almost 75 years of making people smile. Whether it was theatre, his writing, broadcasting or being a husband, father, Grandpa, brother or friend, Lanny Ross always looked at the world through rose colored glasses.He was "born a Sooner" October 1, 1935 in Norman, Oklahoma to Charles and Betty Ross. Lanny LOVED his sports teams; the Norman Tigers, Class of 1953, the Oklahoma Sooners, Class of 1958, graduating with a BBA in marketing, the Clinton Red Tornadoes, where he broadcasted football, basketball and wrestling for CHS for 5 years and the Detroit Tigers.He and his wife Janet moved to Clinton in 1963, where Lanny became a bit of a celebrity. For 8 years, those in Western Oklahoma could join Lanny in "Coffee and Conversation" on his daily morning talk show, as well as reading his weekly column, "Out in Left Field," in the Clinton Daily News, where he frequently bragged on his grandchildren. He also wrote for the Daily Oklahoman, covering High School football, and served as a baseball scout for the Florida Marlins and the Detroit Tigers.Lanny refereed High School football games in Western Oklahoma for 10 years, coached pee wee wrestling and helped initiate the move to start the wrestling program at Clinton High School. But who could forget Lanny's many roles on stage at the Southwest Playhouse theatre, winning several acting awards for his performances in OKLAHOMA, GUYS & DOLLS, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, KISS ME KATE, A FEW GOOD MEN and one of his favorite roles (in which he played twice), Oscar Madison in the ODD COUPLE. He also helped write and perform in the Red Clay Revue.Lanny was always willing to serve the city of Clinton. He was elected Mayor in 1970, where he opened the miniature golf course & recommended renovations to McClain Rogers Park, served on Board of Directors of the Route 66 Museum, co-chaired Clinton's Centennial 100 years of celebration and emceed over 100 events over the years. An avid supporter of the University of Oklahoma, Lanny served 10 years on the OU Alumni Association, where he was president for two terms, served 2 terms on the OU Athletic Council and was honored with an Outstanding Alumni award. While attending OU, Lanny was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the "O" club. It is at OU where he met his wife of almost 52 years Janet Sue Mussen. They were married in Clinton, Oklahoma, in 1958. Lanny then served his country as Lt. in the US Army Artillery, and thereafter, he and Janet made their home in Clinton, attending the First United Methodist Church and later the First Christian Church, where he sang in both choirs. Lanny worked for Texaco and Champlin before starting his own business in Clinton in 1968 and retired in 2009. He and Janet moved back to Norman a year ago, where he was able to spend more time with his brother, John, as well as continuing to share many memories with his lifelong friends from Lincoln Elementary and Norman High School.Lanny's favorite hobby was rooting for his favorite sports teams, but his most precious moments were being with his family. He loved spending time with his four grandchildren, playing endless board games and watching more than a few episodes of Sponge Bob Square Pants. They were the sunshine of his life. Preceding him in death were his parents, Charles and Betty Ross; in-laws, Forrest and Colleen Mussen; an uncle, Floyd Westervelt; an aunt, Jean Taylor; and grandmother, Alma Westervelt. He is survived by his wife of almost 52 years, Janet Sue Ross; daughter, Karie Ross and husband David Dombrowski of Bloomfield Hills, MI; son, Jeffrey Landon Ross of Norman, OK; brother, John F. Ross and wife Ann of Norman, OK; sister-in-law, Frances Ann Clark and husband Charles of Centennial, CO; grandchildren: Darbi Rose Dombrowski, Landon Ronald Dombrowski of Bloomfield Hills, MI; Annakate Eliza Ross and Olivia Emiline Ross of Clinton, OK; nephew, Randy Clark and wife Kim of Denver, CO; nieces: Paula Jones of Philadelphia, PA; Lisa Grobmyer and husband Jimmy of St. Petersburg, FL; Jennifer Taylor and husband Marc of Wichita, KS; and Lindsay Lee and husband Ian of Mansfield, TX; cousins: Mary Winnie Morgan and husband Joe of Carrollton, MS; Olleta Wiggins and husband Jim of Jonesboro, AR; Alma Cody of Norman, OK; Tom Taylor of New Mexico; Yvonne Twidwell of Los Altos, CA; and Claudia Aquino and Michele of Atlanta, GA. Lanny fought a valiant battle against cancer, always keeping his spirits high. Being a man of faith, he was ready to meet his Lord, passing away on August 10, 2010 after living what he called "A Wonderful Life"!Memorials may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 N. E. 13th, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104.A reception will be held from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Sunday, August 15, 2010, at 3624 Guilford, Norman, Oklahoma 73072.Services will be held 10:00 AM, Monday, August 16, 2010, at the McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church, 419 S. University, Norman, OK, with burial following at Rose Hill Cemetery in Oklahoma City, OK under the direction of Havenbrook Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made to www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com