Dennis Wayne Ross

1937 - 2025

"Live like a cowboy- with courage, kindness, integrity and a strong work ethic." Add a great sense of humor and you have described Dennis Wayne Ross. Dennis was born June 18, 1937, in Terry, Montana to Wayne and Margaret (Pomeroy) Ross. He was the little brother to Wynona and big brother to Lennis, Wava, Tuffy and Kim.

Dennis was a town boy with a country heart. At the age of nine, he was exposed to ranch life with the Jens family when he was invited to spend the summer with them to be a companion for their son. This experience sparked his love of ranching and the outdoors. He continued to work for local ranchers until he graduated from high school.

Dennis would have preferred to work instead of attending high school, but friends begged him to come to play football. He tells the story that sports are what got him to school, and his friend Evalina is who got him through school. He excelled on the basketball court and was "Athlete of the Year" his senior year. The best thing to happen to him in high school was meeting the love of his life, Adeline Morast, with whom he shared 66 years of marriage.

After graduation he entered the US Marine Corps and served two years in Okinawa, Japan. He was proud to have served his country and was forever a Marine. Upon returning he and Adeline were married on March 14, 1959, and honeymoon baby Denise arrived in December. Denise was later joined by Carla and Alisha. Although he never had any sons, eventually, his grandsons brought him great joy.

Dennis and Adeline moved from Terry to Billings early in their marriage where Dennis was employed in the warehouse of an electrical company. He later worked for Union Tank Car in Laurel and in 1965 they found their way to Circle where he started at McCone Electric as an apprentice lineman. He was a loyal and dedicated employee for 35 years where many of his coworkers have been lifelong friends. He enjoyed their workplace camaraderie and their Friday night Vets

Club shenanigans.

Ranching came back into his life when he and Adeline bought a small ranch outside of Circle in 1968. Ranch work is what brought him joy and relaxation. He continued this lifestyle after retirement by riding for and working with many area ranchers where he was often called "Boss Ross". He especially enjoyed helping his brother Tuffy in Lame Deer.

Another retirement joy for Dennis was spending time with his grandchildren, supporting them in their various sporting activities and teaching them life skills.

Dennis was a devout Christian, having come to believe in Christ as a young man. He was very generous and dedicated to his church family, serving faithfully for many years. Dennis spread the gospel in how he lived and loved others.

Dennis entered the arms of Jesus on September 10, 2025, surrounded by his wife and daughters, ending an 8-year battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Dennis is survived by his wife Adeline and three daughters Denise (Rick) Mallo, Carla (Randy) Bell and Alisha (Ward) Anderson; sister Wava Robison, brother Kim (Sharon) Ross, sister-in-law Judy Ross and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was blessed with 8 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He was proceeded in death by his parents, sisters Wynona and Lennis and brother Tuffy.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday September 20, 2025 at 2 pm at Apostle's Lutheran Church in Billings Montana with a burial to follow the service at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Billings.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Horses Spirits Healing- 7256 Highway 3, Billings Montana 59106 horsesspiritshealing.org

Michael J. Fox Foundation- michaeljfox.org

West Park Village Staff Christmas Fund- Westpark Village 2351 Solomon Avenue, Billings Montana 59102

Dennis Wayne Ross