Donald M. Ross

Donald Marvin "Don" Ross, 95, of Harbor Beach, Michigan, passed away on November 25, 2025, at Courtney Manor, Bad Axe, with family by his side. He was born on March 18, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan, to Elsie (Reiche) and Marvin Ross. Don graduated from Cooley High School, Detroit, in June 1948 and then from Wayne State University, Detroit, in June 1952. Don is a veteran of the Korean War, enlisting in the Army in July 1952. He served in Korea until his honorable discharge as a sergeant in July 1955. He married Eva Geraldine ("Gerry") (Fullen) on November 27, 1953, in Baltimore, Maryland. She and Don were married for 63 years and 10 months, almost 64 years.

Although after graduation from Wayne State, Don was qualified to be a teacher, after a year of teaching experience in Detroit, he decided to pursue other career avenues. He became a firefighter, serving the City of Detroit Fire Department from January 1956 until April 1982, when he retired as a lieutenant at 52 years of age. He also worked a second job at Abrams Moving, North American Van Lines in Detroit, as he wanted to have the money to provide his two children the opportunity to go to college/university.

After retiring in 1982, Don became a full-time Harbor Beach resident, joining his family, whom he loved deeply. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, reading (especially books on humor) and scrapbooking. In fact, he became the official scrapbook keeper of family history, taking pictures at all the family gatherings and, with his humor and creativity, creating scrapbook keepsakes for years to come. He also loved being a part of the Harbor Beach community. He was a regular, for example, at his favorite restaurants, as well as the local drugstore. He was a much-loved member of the Harbor Beach Community. He was also a valued member of the First Presbyterian Church in Harbor Beach, where he faithfully lit the candles every Sunday.

Don's children, Donald C. Ross (Debra) of Minden City, and Eva M. Ross (Duane Fairbairn), Strathroy, Ontario, Canada, survive him, as do his grandchildren, Matthew Ross (Mandy), Cass City, Kyle Ross (Blackhawk, Colorado), and Ryan Ross (Caitlin), Frankenmuth, Michigan. His great-grandchildren are Eloisa Abigail and Jacob Donald, Cass City, Michigan. Don's parents predeceased him, as did his wife, Gerry, who passed on September 29, 2017.

Burial will take place at the Delaware Township Cemetery, Forestville, Michigan. In Forestville, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to the Sanilac County Humane Society or the First Presbyterian Church, Harbor Beach, Michigan. You can share memories at www.RamseyFH.com.