Luke William Ross

2000 - 2023

Luke William Ross
Jan. 25, 2000 - Dec. 29, 2023

Luke William Ross entered the presence of God on December 29, 2023 after a long struggle with mental health illness.
Luke grew up on a small hobby farm near Long Lane, Missouri, and enjoyed playing in the hills, woods, pond, and creek as a child. He was homeschooled for grades K-12, participating in the Lebanon Area Homeschoolers co-op classes, field trips, and drama troupe and events with the Dallas County Area Homeschoolers. He volunteered at Heart 2 Heart Food Pantry in Buffalo and participated in Mercy Hospital's Medical Explorers program. He attended high school classes at Lighthouse Christian Academy Homeschool Co-op in Springfield, Missouri, graduating in May 2018. He obtained his Associate of Science degree from Ozarks Technical Community College in May 2021 and was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. He was a current student at Colorado State University, studying business finance and accounting. ?Luke accepted Jesus Christ into his heart at a young age, attended church with his family, and summer Vacation Bible Schools. He was a diligent worker, employed by various places in the Ozarks including Dairy Queen and Hardees in Buffalo, Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, and Mercy and Cox hospitals, The Arc, Bass Pro, and Central Bank in Springfield. Luke enjoyed the outdoors, especially hiking, bicycling, and kayaking, as well as spending time with friends and family. He was a gentle, kind, compassionate, generous person to people of all ages and walks of life, had a great sense of humor, and a beautiful smile.?He was preceded in death by his grandfather Robert Ross, Ocala, Florida, grandmother Mary Jane (Elliott) Rivers, San Bernardino, California and great-grandparents Willard Perry and Pearl (Watson) Ross, Labette County, Kansas, James Neidlinger, Center Point, Indiana, Weldon Cox, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Lem McClimans, Bourbon County, Kansas and Anna (Ray) McClimans, Riverside, California.?Luke is survived by his parents, Harold and Melissa (McClimans) Ross of Long Lane, Missouri, siblings Zechariah Ross and his daughter, Asher, of Monett, Benjamin Ross, his wife Payton, and their daughter, Fern, of Republic, Jonathan Ross and wife Zoe of Rogersville, and Laura Ross of Springfield, grandparents Millard and Jerilyn (Neidlinger) McClimans of Harrison, Arkansas, great-grandmother Norma (Trout) Cox of Killeen, Texas, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and community members who also loved him dearly.?A private family viewing was held on December 30, 2023. A celebration of life service and visitation dinner will be held on Sunday, January 21, 2024, 2 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 502 N. Maple St., Buffalo, MO. All friends, family, and acquaintances of Luke and the Ross's are welcome to attend. Wearing something blue is encouraged as it was one of Luke's favorite colors. A graveside service at Sweaney Riverview Cemetery is planned for late spring or early summer.