Vernon Ross

Vernon Ross, 100, died Jan. 11, 2010, at Mat-Su Regional Hospital, surrounded by his family.

A service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E. St. The Rev. Randy Bjerken will officiate.

Vernon was born May 1, 1910 in Elida, Ohio, to John and Anna Belle Ross. He came to Alaska in 1935 and married Sylvia Childers on July 23, 1937. Six weeks later, the couple moved to a trapline on Alexander Creek, where they lived for the next eight years. In 1945, Vernon and Sylvia began commercial fishing at Moose Point on the Kenai Peninsula.

From 1955 until 1972, they worked for the Anchorage School System as janitors. Vernon later became day man at Romig Junior High while Sylvia worked in food services. During these years. Vernon was also employed as a big game guide, while Sylvia worked at the hunting camps as a cook.

In 1972, they moved to Barabara Point near Seldovia, where Vernon continued to fish until he was 92. The couple began spending their winters on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1988, where they were active in the local senior center and in the Episcopal Church. In 2003, due to Sylvia's declining health, they returned to Houston, Alaska.

Vernon was preceded in death by his wife and by one great-grandchild.

He is survived by his daughter, Janette (Wallace) Riehle of Palmer; his daughter, Anna Philo of Houston; his son, Jim (Clarrise) Ross of Sitka, Ky.; his son, Mark (Annie) Ross of Homer; 18 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Vernon's motto was, "Live one day at a time. Do the best you can, be nice to the people around you, make them happy. If you make people happy, you can be happy."

His family said, "He was always making people laugh and cracking jokes. He will be greatly missed, but he lived a long, good life and we have many great memories."

Arrangements are with Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel; www.janssenfuneralhomes.com.