David Ross

David Tracy Ross, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away on October 30, 2023. Born June 23, 1938 in Spokane, Washington to Tracy and Opal Ross, he was raised on a farm in the Palouse country of northern Idaho. He proudly gained a strong work ethic helping his father with all aspects of farming from the age of 12.
David was the last graduate, from a class of only three students, to receive a high school diploma from Farmington High School. He then left the farm to attend the University of Idaho in Moscow. David left the U of I with a mechanical engineering degree in 1961 but maintained his allegiance to the Vandals for the rest of his life.
While working for Hercules in Utah, David met LaRee, the love of his life whom he married in 1965. Dave and LaRee planted, tended, and harvested all of life's challenges and rewards together for more than 58 years.
David's career offered many varied opportunities in multiple states. He expanded his skill set to include quality control engineering, which was applied mostly in aerospace and defense industries. David's work included development of the Mars Viking Lander fuel tanks and armor for the Abrams M-1 tank.
David loved his ragtime and Dixieland music. He enjoyed the Sun Valley Jazz Festival every October for 30 consecutive years from its inception in 1989.
Like his father, David was a farmer at heart, working a one-third acre vegetable garden in the back yard of his home in Idaho Falls. Like his mother, David also loved his flower gardens, mostly roses and dahlias.
David was the honored patriarch and provider for his beloved family. He is survived by his wife LaRee, daughter LenNae, and son Randy. David also had six grandchildren: Travis (Catherine) Dunn, Jeremy (Kimber) Dunn, Kayla Dunn, Crystal (Dallin) Gale, Devin Ross, and Kara Ross; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Anita Torpey and brother-in-law Bud Torpey.
David's family welcomes you to a viewing on Thursday November 2nd from 10:30 to 11:30 at Jenkins-Soffe funeral home. A graveside service will immediately follow at noon in the South Jordan cemetery.